Fee guidelines for music commissions

The Contemporary Music Centre wishes to ensure that composers receive adequate remuneration for their work and have drawn up the following guidelines. 

The fees and categories given below should be regarded as a useful indicator rather than a prescribed structure. The lower end of each band is intended for less established composers, the upper end being aimed at more experienced composers.  For composers whose works are regularly performed on the international stage, the upper figure could be taken as a starting point for negotiations. CMC encourages commissioners to also give consideration to co-commissioning works with other partners.

Category of work Fee per min

Solo works (excluding works for piano, harp and keyboard)

 €305-430
Keyboard: piano, organ, harpsichord, harp etc. €320-525

Chamber works; à capella choral works 
(2-9 players, SATB and choral works accompanied by a solo instrument)

€320-650
Large chamber ensemble (10-20 players) 

€460-725
Chamber orchestra; brass band €650-1000
Symphony orchestra; symphonic wind ensemble

€900-1260
Orchestral works with soloist(s) and/or chorus

€1035-1410
Electronic music (compositional element only) €440-665
Instrumental/vocal works with tape (fee as for appropriate category of instrumental work with a further 50% for preparation of the tape/electronic part.)  

Opera, music theatre or dance
(fees as for the instrumental forces employed with an additional appropriate amount for production of a piano score.)

  
The fee for works of an indeterminable length should be calculated on an individual basis taking into consideration the scale of the project, the overall budget, and fees being paid to other artists and individuals involved in the project.
 

Guidelines for composers leading workshops/education projects
Per session (up to two hours)       €120-€180
Per day                                        €300-€420

The following additional costs may need to be covered in relation to workshops/education projects and should be discussed between the composer and organiser: travel costs; preparation time; preparatory meetings.

Notes for composers

Before embarking on a new commission the composer should discuss and agree the following issues with the commissioner. These should be confirmed in writing: an exchange of letters will suffice.

  • The instrumental forces, duration, style and general context of the new work.
  • The performers (if these are not the commissioning body).
  • The date and place of the first performance and the date on which the completed score is to be delivered. A commitment should be sought for at least two further performances within two years. 
  • The fee, clarifying how it is to be funded and what contingency plans are in place to make up the balance if a funding application does not produce the fee in full.
  • When payment of the fee is to be made (normally half on commencement of the composition and half on submission of the completed score).

  • Where required, how the copying of instrumental parts is to be funded. The cost of preparing performing materials is not included in the commissioning fee and should be negotiated separately. The composer may agree to provide parts at the appropriate copying rates, or he/she may prefer to leave this to a professional copyist.

  • Whether the work is to be recorded and in what format.   

Notes for commissioners 

  • For works of more than 30 minutes duration it is suggested that the guidelines be regarded as a basis for discussion only, rather than being calculated on a 'per minute' basis.

  • In the event of a funding application (e.g. to the Arts Council) awarding less than the fee agreed with the composer, it is the responsibility of the commissioner to find funding for the balance and contingency plans for this should be agreed in advance.

  • The cost of copying instrumental parts for a first performance is not included in these recommended fees. It is the responsibility of the commissioner to organise and fund the copying of parts for all large-scale works. For small scale solo or chamber works the composer will normally be happy to supply instrumental parts free of charge, but this should be discussed and agreed in advance.

  • The composer retains the copyright of the work and is under no obligation to enter a publishing agreement as part of the commission.

  • The composer retains ownership of the original manuscript. Unless the commissioner has him/herself directly arranged and paid for the copying of parts, the composer also retains ownership of these.

  • The commissioning body and any funding bodies involved must be acknowledged in the score, parts and any print material connected with performances of the work.

  • If the first performance is not given by the commissioner on or within a reasonable time-span of the date agreed, the composer is free to offer the work for performance elsewhere. This time-span should be agreed in advance in writing.

  • It should be regarded as part of the commissioner’s responsibility to arrange a recording for radio broadcast and/or CD release. Where this is not possible, assistance may be available through the CMC Archival Recording Scheme.

CMC, Updated August 2023