In 2013-14 I organized a consortium of wind ensembles and individuals (listed below) to collaborate on a new piece for Grade IV bands.  This was quite the challenge for me having been so fortunately pampered by professional performers for years.  The idea of writing for high school and college bands at an intermediate level seemed both exciting and daunting.  I asked for participation from many schools and received a nice response from many.

My idea was to involve schools in the process of making a new work.  I kept a published blog throughout the entire process, had video rehearsals with several groups, and in-person rehearsals with others.  We worked on the piece before it was finished in order to make the parts practical and playable.  

A large component of this process was the performers and conductor for each group participating in a series of votes to determine the direction of the piece and even its title.  I am of the generation that grew up reading the Choose Your Own Adventure book series.  At the end of each section of these books there would be text such as "Turn to page 44 to enter the Forbidden Chamber or turn to page 163 to go the long way around the mountain."  It was enjoyable to attempt a similar approach for the composing of Donkey Rhubarb.  At five key moments in the piece I actually composed two possible continuations of the musical material; two ways to piece could progress.  The hundreds of participants in the project then voted for which one they preferred, thus collaborating remotely on the content of the piece.  The winner was used and the piece progressed with democratic process.  This was a unique experience for all of us and resulted in music that is truly particular to the group of participants.

I am deeply grateful to the following individuals and organizations that supported my work through this process and were willing to experiment with a new way of creating music.  Multas Gratias Tibi!