Commission an Original Solo Bass Work.

Commission the Next Solo Bass Work by Xavier Foley

Why Commission a Piece?

Within the classical tradition, a work that enters the repertoire can endure for generations, even centuries. Scores are passed from teacher to student, performed across stages, and continually rediscovered by new artists over time.

To commission a piece is to take part in that lineage. Your name becomes permanently associated with the work, appearing on the score itself.

As the music is performed, taught, and shared, that acknowledgment travels with it, moving through concert halls, studios, and future generations of musicians.

In a tradition defined by continuity, commissioning a work is a way to contribute something lasting, a presence within the repertoire that extends far beyond a single moment.

Work Directly With the Composer

A Dedicated Commission Process

When a commission is placed, I prioritize the project immediately.

As both the composer and performer, I pause my other work to focus fully on completing the commissioned piece.

You will also be in direct contact with me to describe the type of piece you would like. This ensures the music reflects your specific vision and purpose.

Commission Timeline:

Each piece is written individually and scheduled in the order received

• Simple Commission
 Estimated timeframe: 3–4 business days

• Intermediate Commission
Estimated timeframe: 5–7 business days

• Advanced Commission
 Estimated timeframe: 2–3 weeks

Timeframes reflect current scheduling and may vary based on demand. A confirmed start date will be provided after purchase

What You Receive Upon Completion: 

• Professionally engraved digital score (PDF)
  
• Lifetime access to all finalized materials
• A professional video recording of the piece by Xavier Foley
• Flexibility to program the piece in concerts, competitions, and recordings.
• Your name will appear on the title page of the score as the official commissioner.
• As the commissioner, you have the exclusive opportunity to give the first performance of the work.
• Recognition on my website alongside the piece
• Optional performance notes

All materials are delivered digitally
A physical copy of the score can be provided upon request. Please note that printing and shipping times will extend the overall timeframe for receiving your music

Instrumentation

All commissions for this product are written exclusively for solo double bass (unaccompanied).

This means the work is composed for a single performer, without piano, orchestra, or additional instruments.

If you are interested in a work for multiple instruments or bass with accompaniment, please see the section below titled Commissions for Multiple Instruments.

How to Choose Length of Time 

At the top of this page, you’ll see a selection of buttons labeled from 1 minute to 5 minutes. This allows you to choose the length of your custom piece.

Here’s how to decide:

• 1–2 minutes
  Ideal for short, impactful works. Great for encores, social media, or a concise musical statement.
• 3–4 minutes
  A balanced option that allows for more development, contrast, and musical storytelling.
• 5 minutes
  A more expansive work with greater depth, structure, and expressive range. Best for recitals or centerpiece repertoire.

Simply click the button that matches your desired length. Your selection will determine the scope, detail, and overall arc of your commissioned piece.

How to Choose Your Technical Difficulty

At the top of this page, you’ll see three options: Simple, Intermediate, and Advanced. Click one of these buttons to select the technical level of your custom piece.

Not sure which to choose? Scroll down to read detailed descriptions of each level to help guide your decision.

*Simple*

Accessible and approachable for developing players, this tier is playable for all levels, with engaging music designed to be fun and encouraging for those in the early stages of learning the double bass. Music at this level can have a lasting impact by becoming part of the repertoire that introduces new generations of bassists to the instrument and inspires their musical journey.

Simple difficulty level example piece

*Intermediate*

Moderately challenging with expanded musical ideas, this tier utilizes the full range of the double bass while remaining accessible to most college and professional-level bass players. Music at this level often becomes valuable recital repertoire, giving performers compelling new works they can share with audiences while expanding the modern double bass repertoire.

Intermediate difficulty level example piece

*Advanced*

Virtuosic and technically demanding, this tier pushes the limits of the double bass, featuring bold, daring passages that expand the instrument’s possibilities. Works at this level can inspire the next generation of bassists by showcasing what the instrument is capable of and motivating young players to pursue the highest level of artistry and technical mastery.

Advanced difficulty level example piece 

Your Vision, or Mine

You’re welcome to guide the style, mood, and sound of the piece, or simply allow me full creative freedom to write it on my own terms. Some commissioners arrive with a clear idea, while others enjoy the surprise. Either approach works perfectly.

Included in Published Collections

Commissioned works may be included in future updates of my published collections upon discretion of the commissioner.

For example, The Exercise Book has reached over 3,500 musicians worldwide. When new material is added, all current owners receive it automatically as a complimentary update. This places the commissioned work directly into the hands of an active global community of bassists who are practicing, teaching, and performing the music.

Growing Reach Over Time

As the collection continues to expand, new pieces are added through periodic email updates sent to all current owners. Each time the collection is updated, the commissioned work is distributed directly to this growing group of musicians.

In addition, every new purchaser receives the latest version of the collection, including the commissioned piece. This allows the reach of the work, and the visibility of the commissioner’s name, to grow steadily over time.

Email Announcement to 8,000+ Bassists

New music is also shared with my mailing list of over 8,000 bass players worldwide. When a new piece is released, the announcement introduces the work and acknowledges the commissioner behind it. This allows the commissioner’s name to reach a large and engaged musical community, further strengthening long-term recognition and brand awareness connected to the creation of the piece.

Visibility in Performance

Commissioned works are also often acknowledged in concert program books when performed, where audiences frequently read the program before and during performances. This means the commissioner’s name may reach not only musicians, but also audience members from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions. 

Over time, performances of the piece may reach hundreds of thousands of listeners. Someone reading the program could be a future collaborator, a potential client, a student, or a new connection within the broader community.

Recital Recognition

Works commissioned at a more advanced level of complexity are particularly well suited for recital performance and are therefore more likely to appear on concert programs.

When these works are performed in recital, the commissioner is acknowledged from the stage prior to the performance, recognizing their role in bringing the piece to life and associating their name with the artistic experience shared with the audience.

Educational Impact

As a young musician, one of the pieces that first sparked my curiosity about the double bass was The Great Green Sea Snake by Edgar Meyer.

A single piece can leave that kind of lasting impression. Your commission has the potential to create that same moment for someone else, inspiring a new generation of musicians in ways that are impossible to predict.

Join a Growing List of Commissioners

Xavier Foley’s music has been commissioned by leading orchestras, presenters, and institutions across the classical music field. Whether you represent a major institution or are commissioning a work on your own, the process is the same: bringing a new piece of music to life.

Notable commissioners and presenting organizations include:

• Carnegie Hall
• The Sphinx Organization
• New World Symphony
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
• San Francisco Symphony
• Spivey Hall at Clayton State University
• The Juilliard School Pre-College Division
• Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music (in collaboration with the Mahler Foundation)
• Santa Fe Pro Musica
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra MusicNOW

His works have also been performed by leading ensembles including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and Sphinx Virtuosi, among many others.

Commissioner Access + Credit Section

Although the music cannot be resold by the commissioner (only Xavier Foley can!), it will remain available for purchase on my website, with every score crediting the commissioner who made the work possible. As the commissioner, you will always have free access to the sheet music for your own use.

Bassists will see your name before downloading the music and again every time they open the score to practice, making it nearly impossible to forget who brought the piece into existence.

A Legacy That Can Last Generations

Music has the ability to outlive the people who create it.
When a work is commissioned, the commissioner’s name remains connected to the piece wherever it is performed, studied, or shared.

Teachers pass it to students.
Performers bring it to the stage.
Audiences encounter it in concert programs.

If the piece becomes widely played, your name may continue appearing alongside the work for generations. Commissioning a piece is more than receiving new music.

It is an opportunity to become part of the music itself.

Revisions

Minor adjustments may be considered at the composer’s discretion, but full revisions are not offered.

Usage Rights

Commercial resale of the sheet music is not permitted.

All rights to the composition and score remain with the composer. This includes the right to publish, distribute, and sell the work through any platform, including my website.

Refund Policy for Commissioned Works

Because each commissioned piece is created specifically for the commissioner, refunds are limited once work has begun.

Before work begins
A full refund may be requested if the project has not yet started.

After work has begun
Once composition has started, payments become non-refundable. This reflects the time and creative work already invested in the project.

If the commissioner cancels mid-project
Any payments made up to that point are non-refundable. Depending on the stage of completion, a partial draft or excerpt of the music may be provided.

If the composer is unable to complete the commission
In the unlikely event that the piece cannot be completed, a full refund will be issued.

Commissions for Multiple Instruments

If you’re interested in commissioning a work for multiple instruments or anything beyond Solo Bass, please contact my manager, Monica Felkel, at monica@monicafelkelcreativepartners.com to receive a personalized quote.

Projects involving additional instruments require more compositional detail and engraving, so pricing will be slightly higher than the standard Solo Bass commission.

Reach out with your idea, and we’ll work with you to create something tailored to your vision.