Commissioning new music has become an integral part of Camerata Pacifica’s artistic mission. Not because we are a new music group — we are not. But because this is a live, dynamic artform. Even if the music originated in the 18th or 19th century, at that moment of performance, the minute it becomes a reality, it is live and of the moment. No matter when the music was written, it has that in common with every other piece. Hopefully hearing new music informs our listening to pieces we know very well — there can be a danger that with familiarity we lose awareness of the innovation and novel nature of pieces now acknowledged as masterworks.

Commissioning has become a favorite means to support our work. Throughout the compositional process, commissioners get to engage with the composer and the musicians as the work is brought to life. Finally the manuscript arrives and the musicians begin preparation. Commissioners attend first rehearsals and after the premiere performances, when corrections are made, the score arrives from the publisher engraved with the commissioners’ names on the title page — forever.

Commissioning opportunities begin with an investment of as little as $2,000.