Spindrift Commissioning Guild

Guild News

Enchanted for oboe and chamber orchestra was completed in 2006 with two successful concerts.

The music for Triptoe Suite for orchestra was completed in 2007and concerts are planned in Vermont in the spring.

The collaboration Art-Poem-Music: Body and Soul is in progress with a concerts in February and March 2007, February 2008, and an upcoming concert in May 2008.

About the Guild

The Spindrift Commissioning Guild is a grassroots approach to the costs of composition and performance. When you join the Guild, you pay $25 to $50 to be part of a commissioning group for a new composition by Pamela J. Marshall. You can also contribute additional funds to support the composition or the performance.

A commission is expensive for a single performer, small performing group, or enthusiastic patron. There aren’t many royal patrons as there was in Handel’s and Mozart’s lifetimes. The idea behind the Guild is to bring commissioning within reach of all of us. The Guild gives you the opportunity to band together with others and participate in the creation of a new piece of music.

So what kind of music will come out of this? While I believe that describing music in words can easily mislead, I can tell you that my music comes out of the classical tradition. My music is often energetically rhythmic, with complex harmonies---sometimes dissonant and sometimes tonal. One reviewer described my percussion and piano duo “Traveling to Magic” as “Bartok meets the Blues.” Each piece is different, and I often don’t know what it will be until I start out. That’s part of the adventure!

MP3 samples of my work are available on many of the Catalog pages. Keep in mind though, every new piece explores something new!

Benefits for Guild members

Music isn’t a tangible object, so how do you know you’re getting your money’s worth? In exchange for your support, I will provide:

• A certificate describing the project you have supported and recognizing your participation. You will receive this when the piece is finished, since that’s usually when it gets its name, or after the premiere when I can send you a CD too.
• Occasional progress reports and concert announcements
• Invitation to the local premiere OR if possible, discounted tickets when the premiere takes place under the auspices of another presenter
• Your name listed in the group of commissioners: in the printed score; in concert programs when space allows; and on the Spindrift web site when the music is publicized there; or you can be associated with the famous patron Anonymous
• On request, an autographed copy of the printed score or CD recording of the premiere or other performance (with performers' permission)

I will ask for your support only once or twice a year and you can choose to support new projects as they are added. You will not receive constant solicitations. Some projects will take a while to come to fruition; it might be a year or more before a premiere takes place, depending on the composing time and performers' concert schedules. You should also know that this is not a non-profit organization and that your subscription is not a tax-deductible donation.

Guild Projects - Join Now and Support a Project!

Current projects - click the title to read more about a project and to join:

• None at this time

Finished projects:

• Art-Poem-Music: Body and Soul Volume 1 for voice and string trio, a collaboration between artist Sirarpi Walzer, poet Elizabeth Kirschner and composer Pamela Marshall - performance February 2007
• Triptoe Suite for orchestra for Green Mountain Youth Symphony - performance Spring 2007
• Enchanted for oboist Veronica Kenney with the Concord Ensemble chamber orchestra - performance August 2006
• Black Bear Dance for Esprit de Cor in Lexington, MA for multiple horns and drumming group - performance June 2006
• Meditations, a set of organ pieces for Carson P. Cooman

Propose a New Project

I welcome your input into the process. If you know particular performers or ensembles who might like to work with me on a new project, send me their contact information and I will try to develop a project plan. I’d also like to hear your comments on my music or about any music that you enjoy.

If you are interested in proposing a future project, supporting a project, or being on the mailing list to find out when new projects are in the works, contact me.

Thank you for your interest and support!