Illinois Bands Commissions
Living up to A. A. Harding’s mantra, “always something new,” Illinois Bands has long been committed to the creation and performance of new works for band and chamber winds. We have supported the creation of countless compositions throughout our history by leading commissions and participating in consortia with other institutions. The list below includes those commissioned since 2022, which have been performed by concert ensembles across our program. If you would like to support our efforts in building the next generation of great composers and wind repertoire, please consider contributing to the James F. Keene Bands Commission Fund.
Brian Balmages – Symphony, Windows and Mirrors
Griffin Candey – Easy Tiger
Carlos Carrillo – The Gathering Grounds*
Chris Cerrone – Darkening, Then Brightening*
Katahj Copley – When the Dawn is Still Dark
Kevin Day – Stride
Gala Flagello – Love and Nature*
Ricky Ian Gordon – song cycle, title TBD*
Patrick Harlin – The Time Traveler*
Will Healy – Noctuary for Adé
Jennifer Higdon – Aspire
Derek Jenkins – Gazing Earthward
Li Chan – Three Stanzas of Plum Blossoms
Shuying Li – In This Breath
Shuying Li – Luminance
Ryan Lindveit – Desire Lines
Joel Love – Concerto for Soprano Saxophone
Gilda Lyons – you are here
Peter Meechan – Towards Peace
Jessie Montgomery – Coincident Dances
Nkeiru Okoye – Voices Shouting Out
William Owens – And With This New Day…
Jules Pegram – L.A.tudes
Leanna Primiani – Revolutionary Triptych
Hilary Purrington – apricity*
Jake Runestad – Vincent’s Sky
Bajinder Sekhon – Double Percussion Concerto
D. J. Sparr – Zephyr Roaring Thunder
James Stephenson – Spinning Wheel
James Stephenson – You Have Reached the City Limits
Erika Svanoe – Adventures in Wonderland
Stephen Taylor – Maximum Underground*
Dana Wilson – Out of Darkness, Cello Concerto
Roger Zare – River’s Rising
Zhou Tian – Saxophone Concerto
(* = Illinois Bands was lead commissioner)