Tenor-Bass Choirs

2025-2026 ACDA Tenor-Bass Choirs National Commission Consortium–Call For Participation

The ACDA Tenor-Bass Choirs National Commission Consortium consists of middle school/junior high, high school, college/university, and community tenor-bass choirs that pool their resources to commission new works for tenor-bass choirs. 

The call for participating choirs opens on October 1, 2025. The call for participation closes on November 1, 2025. 

This new consortium is modeled after the successful consortium created in 2007 by the ACDA Soprano-Alto Choirs Repertoire & Resources area.  The purpose of this program is to promote the creation of new works for tenor-bass choirs by established composers and to give tenor-bass choirs of all ages and ability levels an affordable opportunity to participate in the commissioning process. This consortium is focused entirely on serving the needs of tenor-bass choirs and attempting to fill the still-large gap in available high-quality repertoire for these ensembles.

Upon completion of the commission, each choir and director will receive a copy of the manuscript with the rights to copy for their own choir’s premiere performance. Each choir and conductor will be listed in the score of the composition as well as on our ACDA Tenor-Bass Choirs webpage. 

This consortium will feature two separate projects: one for developing ensembles and one for advanced ensembles.  The 2026 composer for developing tenor-bass choirs is Laura Farnell.  The composer for advanced tenor-bass choirs is Jonathan Reid.  

The Commissions will be delivered by May 15, 2026 with performances happening the Fall of 2026. Consortium members have the first premier rights on the works. The pieces will go into publication in the Spring of 2027.

Cost:

The commission fee is $200 per choir per project joined, to be paid in full to ACDA by December 1, 2025. An invoice will be sent to all participants via email following the November 1 deadline. Payment by check, PO, or online will be accepted. Join one project for $200 or both projects for $400.

Choose From Two Projects (or both!):

This consortium will have two projects. One for developing ensembles and one for advanced ensembles. The following guidelines are provided to help you determine the best level for your ensemble participation: 

Developing ensembles: middle school, beginning high school choirs. T(T)B voicing. Accompanied. 

Advanced ensembles: advanced high school, college/university, community choirs. TBB and TTBB with divisi. Accompanied or unaccompanied.

How to participate:

Use the button below to submit the call for participation for the project of your choice. By filling out the form, you are committing to the project. This is not a solicitation for interest but is a registration for participation. A confirmation email will be sent shortly after your submission is received. An invoice will be sent to the director/organization following the close for participation. Payment in full will be due by December 1, 2025.  The submitting director must be an active, retired, or life/paying life, or institution member of ACDA in order to participate. 

 Schedule for Participation in the 2025/2026 Consortium:

Call for participation: October 1, 2025
Deadline for participation: November 1, 2025
Invoices sent to consortium members: November 2, 2025
Payment deadline: December 1, 2025
Commissions provided to membership no later than: May 15, 2026
Performance window: Fall 2026
Pieces open for publication:  Spring 2027

---