To find out more about Dr. Joe's many jazz-influenced compositions, please visit Jazzmuze.com
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| COMMISSIONS | |
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Joe Utterback's commissions have come from both sides of the Atlantic. His compositions are based on his improvisational style, enhanced by jazz and classical influences. The following selected list presents Joe's compositional variety for commissions: | |
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| Tango for Organ | |
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A colorful organ tango commissioned and premiered at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City by
Dr. Andrew Shenton - a true tango with multiple rhythmic treatments, extended solo-stop passages,
pedal solo, and dynamic flights of fancy.
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| Jazz Suite | |
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A three-movement work - Dreamsong, WaltzSong, and
Tuxedo Blues - for The Sartory Trio and performed
at their debut in London's Wigmore Hall. The chamber
music audience applauded so insistently that the
piano trio repeated Tuxedo Blues immediately after
as their encore.
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| Ode | |
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An extended choral setting of the O'Shaughnessy text "We are the music makers…" commissioned by the choirs of
St. Stephens of Port Washington, New York. The work was premiered along with a commissioned rousing
arrangement of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, both conducted by Dennis Grannan for Autumn Serenade,
with Dr. Utterback accompanying at the piano.
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| Jazz Rhythms | |
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A charming set of duets for the beginning piano
student and teacher - the student plays simple
material with five-finger patterns; the teacher plays
delightful and sophisticated jazz. Commissioned by
Eve Dillingham, a New England piano teacher.
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| Glimpses | |
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This song cycle for coloratura soprano and piano was
commissioned by Sarah Arneson and George Kern of the
Mozarteum in Salzburg. It was premiered in a Liederabend at the Schloss Frohnburg in Salzburg, Austria.
As well, the couple premiered Evening Blues, an
entertaining work for soprano and piano that includes
scat singing indications and allows a classical
artist to sing a rousing finale in authentic blues style.
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| Three Spirituals for Piano | |
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Professor Stan Ford commissioned and premiered this
set of spirituals in jazz styles for the Salzburg Seminar
Concert Series at the Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg,
Austria. A member of the Mozarteum faculty, he has performed the work frequently as have many church pianists.
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| Steal Away and Little David, Play on Your Harp | |
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The organ pieces were commissioned by the choirs
of the First Presbyterian Church of New Bern, North
Carolina, to honor their organist Vance Harper Jones
who celebrated twenty years of service to the church.
Vance premiered them at the church during a morning
worship service.
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| Moods and Blues | |
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This set of three jazz pieces for students was commissioned by
The New Jersey Music Teachers Association, Inc. for their annual competition in Princeton.
A number of Joe's piano compositions were placed on the "Syllabus of Required Pieces"
for the Young Musician's Festival, sponsored in March 2002 by
The Schubert Club of Fairfield, Connecticut.
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| Improvisations on Gershwin'sPorgy & Bess | |
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These four concert piano arrangements of Joe's
own improvisations from his CD Gershwin: Porgy & Bess
Jazz Suite were created at the request of David Allen Wehr,
Gold Medal winner of the 1987 Santander International Piano Competition in Spain. Mr. Wehr
performs this suite often in concert.
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Recent compositions include works for piano, solo voice, accompanied STAB chorus, harpsichord, organ, piano and organ duets, solo instrument with piano or organ, instrumental ensembles. | |
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| COMMISSIONING PROCEDURES | |
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"Today, as in the past, a new work of music represents
the ultimate gift to celebrate a special occasion,
to honor a deserving person or simply to enrich society.
It demonstrates the humanitarianism, imagination
and deep feelings of the donor.
It is unique in the power of its meaning at the moment of the first
performance…in its growing value should further presentations and recording
make it familiar…and in the chance that it will give the benefactor,
along with the composer, a niche in immortality." | |
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| If you wish to commission Joe Utterback, please contact his manager, Bill Todt at (732) 747 - 5227. | |
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After an initial discussion with the manager, the composer will contact the commissioning party. Once they have discussed the work requested, his manager will confirm details of an agreement and discuss fees. | |
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| The agreement outlines: | |
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1. The composition requested |
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2. A fee and payment schedule |
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3. The commissioning party's rights A period of exclusive use Designation of the premiere performance Wording of the dedication |
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4. The composer's rights Ownership of copyright Permissible use Publication and royalty rights Specification that the work is not "for hire" |
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5. Time constraints |
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Joe's agreements follow the basic procedures outlined by Meet The Composer's Commissioning Music, A Basic Guide. | |
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