Commissioning Music Compositions

One of ProtoStar’s priorities is to commission new music compositions.  For example, at the start of the pandemic in April 2020, ProtoStar commissioned Joshua Roman, a renowned cellist and composer, to compose a “Musical Journal” — a set of short cello pieces to capture musically the emotional impact the global pandemic was having on us collectively.  See Commissioning Joshua Roman.  The commission resulted in the release of two compositions: (1) “Un Amoir Lointain” (“A Faraway Love”); and (2) “The Importance of Gratitude.”

Please review our standard ProtoStar Commission Agreement FORM-May 2024.  With the recent explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the many lawsuits alleging that the use of Generative AI to create new content results in copyright infringement, ProtoStar amended its form Commission Agreement to require that composers warrant that “no portion of the Commissioned Work will contain any content that was, is, or will be generated by Artificial Intelligence.”

At the same time, ProtoStar understands that some artists may use AI as a tool to stimulate or inspire new works. ProtoStar is comfortable with that so long as the final product is ultimately created in its entirety by the Composer. Accordingly, ProtoStar’s form Commission Agreement also provides that “Composer shall disclose to Commissioner whether and to what extent Artificial Intelligence was, is, or will be used to assist Composer in the creation of the Composition.”

Until those lawsuits are resolved, these clauses will remain in ProtoStar’s form Commission Agreement.

If you are interested in being considered for a commission, please fill out our Application Form for Commissioning New Works of Art.  Please include as part of your Application that, if your Application is approved, you will agree to be bound by the terms and conditions contained in the ProtoStar Commission Agreement.

ProtoStar does not have application deadlines, but accepts them on a rolling basis.  Please note, however, that applications received after October 31 will not, as a practical matter, be considered until after February 1 of the following year.  This is because ProtoStar needs to finish processing any pending grant applications for the calendar year and conduct its annual review during the month of January.  ProtoStar thanks you in advance for your patience and understanding.

ProtoStar looks forward to reviewing your Application!