MEDIUM

FEE PER MINUTE OF MUSIC

NOTES
SOLO £250 includes works for harp or keyboard
DUO £325 two instruments, one of which may be a keyboard
UNACCOMPANIED CHORAL £375 may include vocal soloist
SMALL CHAMBER ENSEMBLE £400 3 to 9 players
ACCOMPANIED CHORAL £400 accompanied by keyboard or solo instruments, with or without vocal soloist
ELECTRONICA £425 covers compositional processes
LARGE CHAMBER ENSEMBLE £450 10 to 20 players
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA £600 may include solo instruments
BRASS BAND £600 may include solo instruments
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA £750 may include keyboard as percussion
SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE £750 may include solo instruments
CHOIR WITH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA £775 may include vocal soloists
ORCHESTRA WITH ONE OR MORE SOLOISTS £800 soloists may be voice or instrument
CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA £825 may include vocal soloists
OPERA, MUSIC THEATRE, DANCE according to musical forces includes ballet

 

General Notes
  • A further fee should be negotiated where pre-recorded sound is an element of the work.
  • Performing materials may or may not be included in the commission fee - this is a matter for negotiation.
  • If the composer is also the publisher, then performing materials may be offered on hire and an appropriate hire fee becomes due, subject to negotiation. 
  • Fees for librettists are independent of the composition fee.
  • It is recommended that composer and commissioner exchange a letter of agreement which sets out the agreed components such as commission fee, provision for performing materials, hire fees (if any), delivery dates and performance dates. Any other relevant points should be included in the agreement.
  • It is recommended that at least 50% of the agreed fee is paid to the composer on signing of the commission, the remaining amount becoming due on delivery of the completed work.
  • Copyright in all uses of a commissioned work remains with the composer.
  • The commissioner is normally entitled to one or more copies of the finished work in full score with or without attendant elements such as a pre-recorded sound-carrier, but not necessarily including a full set of performing materials.
  • If the composer is invited to give a pre-concert talk or to take part in workshops or demonstrations based on the commission, a separate fee becomes negotiable.
  • A composer will usually attend rehearsals at no extra charge, although if this necessitates a long journey, a contribution to travel and accommodation costs is generally expected.

 

Purpose
The fee guidelines on this page are intended to assist composers and commissioners in arriving at an appropriate fee for the commissioning of classical compositions.
They are pitched at a median level and are there to offer a starting point for negotiation.  They should be treated as guidelines only, not fixed rates.
The suggested sums are a personal view of Impulse Music Consultants and are based on over 25 years' experience of commissioning and being commissioned.
For more information, contact impulse@impulse-music.co.uk