Page 19 - CJJan23

Part One: hearts, and much more. These qualities will certainly shine
Collaborative Commissioning through a musical project and highlight the organization or
Commissioned works are usually reserved for the “top” school as a whole. Additionally, younger singers are the fu-
groups, but what if our kindergartners have this opportu- ture older singers, and experiencing the sense of ownership
nity? What if they get to feel the same excitement and sense and validation that comes with a collaborative commission
of ownership that comes with performing something that project helps retain singers and parents. A commission for
was created for and with them? elementary singers also provides an opportunity for growth
In 2018, I was preparing for my master’s recital. At the and impact beyond the particular ensemble; you are adding
time, I conducted the Tucson Girls Chorus Bumblebee a much-needed piece to the repertoire that can be utilized
Singers (grades K-1) and Mariposa Singers (grades 6-8). in any young choir.
For the Mariposas, I had a hard time narrowing down rep- One of my colleagues in my master’s program, Matt
ertoire since there is so much age-appropriate, high-quality, Carlson, happened to be a great composer who was in-
engaging music available for middle school treble choirs. terested in writing exactly that: accessible music for less-
I encountered the opposite problem for the Bumblebees. available voicings that was still just as crafted as the most
While there are many accessible pieces out there for our complex SATB divisi piece. Matt’s skills and aesthetic were
youngest singers, I personally found too many of them to just as much an impetus for this project as the need for a
be either formulaic, intentionally silly, or in need of much great Bumblebee piece. If you don’t already have a col-
adaptation to actually work for the group. There is nothing league in mind as a composer for your commissioning proj-
wrong with programming silly songs or pieces with similar ect, reach out to other children’s choirs, your state ACDA
forms (and I do program these things!). For this situation, board, or a local college or university. (You could also reach
however, I was looking for something that would engage out to Matt!) Chances are, somebody knows somebody who
the Bees on a different level. would be a good fit. Be sure to listen to some of the com-
Depending on your situation, you may need to advocate poser’s previous works to get a feel for their style.
for a commission. In my case, the TGC Director (Dr. Mar- For “Now We Have Rivers,” Matt and I were both open
cela Molina) was fully open to the idea from the start. If your to each other’s input throughout the process. He was the
administration or director needs some convincing, you can expert in composition; I was the expert in exactly what my
emphasize the huge potential and unique skills that young- choir needed to be successful. We also agreed that this piece
er singers possess—their imagination, energy, openness, big must be well crafted and provide a vehicle for the Bees to

2021-2022 Tucson Girls Chorus Bumblebee Singers. Reprinted with permission.
Jess Edelbrock, Conductor; Nicky Manlove, Accompanist; Rosemarie Spece, Rehearsal Assistant

ChorTeach Volume 15 • Issue 1 19 Fall 2022