I enjoy writing commissioned choral works for both sacred and secular choral occasions. Generally, the price for a commissioned piece is $1,300, though the price is negotiable in some circumstances. If you are interested in commissioning me to write a piece for your choir, please send me a note via U. S. Mail (Earlene Rentz, P. O. Box 327, Lancaster, KY 40444) or by email (erentz@earlenerentz.com) with your contact information, and I will contact you.

I will then be in touch to discuss several factors that are helpful in creating a commissioned piece. These factors might include:

• Size of ensemble
• Range of individual voice parts
• Occasion for which commission will be performed
• Contract agreement which specifies publication considerations
• General preference for composition or arrangement
• Projected date of performance
• Time frame for completion
• Orchestration preferences
• General ideas that will assist me in writing an appropriate piece

You will find below a list of completed commissioned choral pieces, and the designated occasions for which they were performed.

Commissioned Choral Works

• Way Down Upon the Swanee River, Dr. Ann Small and The Stetson University Children’s Choir, 1997
• A Common Prayer, Dr. Ann Small and The Stetson University Children’s Choir,1997
• Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, Cory Reeves and the Rolling Hills Community Church, Lago Vista, Texas, 2000
• Words of Lincoln, North Carolina Middle School Honor Choir, 2002
• O Come, Let Us Sing, Dr. Lynne Gackle, Young Voices Festival, Tampa, Florida, 2003
• Clap Your Hands, South Main Baptist Church Centennial Celebration, Houston, Texas, 2003
• Shall We Gather at the River, Midway Middle School Combined 7th and 8th Grade Boys’ Choir, Texas Music Educators Association, 2005
• Psalm of New Beginnings, Central Baptist Church New Sanctuary Dedication, Lexington, Kentucky, 2005
• There is Sweet Music Here, Masterworks Chorale of the Coweta County (GA) Performing and Visual Arts Centre, Newnan, Georgia, 2005
• O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, Dr. William Kolter, Leander, Texas, 2005
• I Go Among Trees (text by Wendell Berry), Bryan E. Nichols, Mary G. Horsley, and the Meade County (KY) High School Concert Choir, 2006
• Every Remembrance of You, Bobby Ivey and the Ninth District Georgia Music Educators Association Senior High Women's Honor Chorus, 2006
• Appalachian Celebration, Adam Beeken and Robert Vanover, and the Choral Department of Lexington Catholic High School (KY), 2006
• All Nations of the Earth, Dr. Stephen Bolster and the Berea (KY) College Concert Choir, 2007
• The Presence of the Lord, Dr. Stephen Bolster and the Berea (KY) College Concert Choir, 2007
• Arise and Shine, Lexington Avenue Baptist Church 80th Anniversary Celebration, Danville, Kentucky, 2007
• My Song Goes On, Central Kentucky Music Educators Association, Flight 5191 Memorial Composition, Brent Barton - Representative, 2007
• Let Praise Resound, Madison Avenue Christian Church - (Disciples of Christ), Huntington, West Virginia, April, 2008
• The Grandeur and Glory of God, Festival by the Sea, Myrtle Beach, (SC), 2008
• This is Success, Christian County (Kentucky) Choral Department, November, 2008
• God's Wondrous Love, Lago Vista (Texas) United Methodist Church, December, 2008
• Rise Up, Claim the Promise of America, Kentucky State University, February, 2009
• The Elm Tree, Texas Choral Directors Association, Middle School/Junior High Honor Choir, July, 2009
• Fall Prayer While Raking, University of Kentucky Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish Music Ministry and the Newman Foundation, to honor the life, ministry, and legacy of Father Walter Bado, S. J., December, 2009