Commissioning a new work is a deeply personal way to celebrate a milestone, bring people together, and create something that will endure beyond a single performance. Collaborating directly with an artist allows your ensemble’s unique voice, strengths, and story to shape the music itself, resulting in a work that feels truly your own. The process is joy-filled! It builds connection, shared purpose, and pride in community, while leaving behind a meaningful artistic legacy that can continue to inspire future performers and audiences.
Facilitating a commission can seem overwhelming but there are many logistical supports in place to help bring your vision to life. Talk to Lavinia about how a commission might work for your ensemble.
Current and completed commissions:
“Trailblazer” concerto for two guitars and string orchestra; CC Guitar Duo and New Music LAB premiere September 25, 2026 Empress Theatre, Fort Macleod AB
“Frozen Music; Elegy” oboe and piano; written in memory of Harry Sargous; premiere June 28, 2026 Kerrytown Theatre, Ann Arbor MI
“Let Everything With Breath Praise the Lord” SATB and piano with text from Psalm 150 on the 150th Anniversary of First Presbyterian Mooresville, NC; David Hamilton director, pianist Gregory Thompson; premiere November 9, 2025 Mooresville, NC
“Turning of Earth” for chamber orchestra and tree planter; premiere through Composer INC Vancouver Orpheum June 20, 2024 Allegra Chamber Orchestra, Janna Sailor directing
“Frozen Coulee; Soundscape as Meditation” Iliana Matos, guitar; premiere May 25, 2024 Calgary, AB Recording of this work featured on album “Solas” available on all streaming platforms
Other Names for Birds, String Quartet No. 1, Penderecki String Quartet premiere September 24, 2022 University of Lethbridge)
Chinook Chamber Choir, Stephanie McFarlene (Speak Gently, Love Whispers, SATB with piano and optional cello; premiere May 6, 2022): https://chs.lethsd.ab.ca
University of Lethbridge Singers, Janet Youngdahl director in collaboration, advised by Goldie Morgantaler for the use of Chava Rosenfarb’s poem “A Prayer” https://chavarosenfarb.com: Sweet Hour of Serenity, SSAATB; premiere March 2020 postponed to Spring 2023, recorded April 2021, now available through Cypress Publishing:
First Baptist Church of Lethbridge, The Christ Hymn, with text by Carol Heynen
Mississippi College Singers, Dr. Mark Nabholz; PBS Festival of Lights through Mississippi Public Broadcasting, O Magnum Mysterium, Premiere 2019, Clinton, Mississippi: https://youtu.be/Veij-ULca8U https://music.mc.edu/ensembles/choir
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Chancel Choir, Lethbridge, Alberta: Little Drops of Water, 2019 for child soloist (or soprano) and SATB choir, cello, piano and optional congregation
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Choir, Charleston, SC: Sing Hope, TTBB with optional percussion, premiered June 17, 2018
The Parish Ringers, Charleston, SC: Carillon, 2017, for two octave Handbell Choir
Erskine College Choraleers, Due West, SC: various compositions 2012-2014 (composer in residence) including: I Thirst for the Living God, SSAATTB with soprano soloist, conductor Bill Diekhoff (Psalm 42 written for Anna Woodiwiss in support of Turquoise Mountain https://www.turquoisemountain.org/blog) and Soli Deo Gloria, SATB divisi with optional soloist, premiere Choraleers Italy Tour, Mark Nabholz directing) https://www.ecspublishing.com/catalog/product/view/sku/1.3619* https://www.erskine.edu/academics/majors/music/ensembles/
Due West ARP Church, Due West, SC: Love In Every Moment, SATB with organ, 2010
Tillman Bells, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina: Linda Dzuris, carillonneur: Crawford Road, (available for purchase from the Canadian Music Centre, https://cmccanada.org for carillon, 2009 https://soundcloud.com/lavinia-kell-parker/crawford-road/s-Kn9Kg?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing (available for purchase through the Canadian Music Centre)https://soundcloud.com/umcarillons/crawford-road-lkp?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Brockport First Baptist Church, May You Shine Like the Stars; Brockport, New York, “Brockport Midwinter Musicales” Concert Series, SATB, 2007
Musique Maintenant, Fondation des États-Unis, Paris, France: mezzo-soprano, violin, percussion “en cherchant mes souvenirs” 2002 https://soundcloud.com/lavinia-kell-parker/05-track-5?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Mendelssohn Youth Choir, and orchestra, Robert Cooper, Toronto Ontario: “Focus on Youth”, 2000: Visible Stars SSAATB, soprano soloist and orchestra https://soundcloud.com/lavinia-kell-parker/visible-stars?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Lavinia Kell Parker 