Commission a piece

Tailored to Your Ensemble

Jay asks detailed questions about ensemble size, comfortable vocal ranges, divisi capability, and instrumental resources before composing. He writes at difficulty levels matched to specific choirs, from volunteer groups to advanced ensembles.

Rich, Sophisticated Sound at Manageable Difficulty

Jay works within a fundamentally tonal framework enriched with extended harmonies (ninth and eleventh chords), modal inflections, and unresolved seconds. His organ writing features independent accompaniments that support and elevate the vocal parts.

The result is music with the harmonic richness and beauty of Howells, Rutter, Lauridsen, and Paulus, but written to be accessible to your ensemble, including non-professional church choirs.

Melodic Lines for All Voices

As a lifelong singer and professional countertenor for decades, Jay understands what makes a part engaging to sing, and thus writes interesting lines for all singers.  His melodies are long, lyrical, and fluid, and give all voices something meaningful to sing.  

Text-Driven Composition

Jay is deeply attentive to the texts he sets, crafting music that expresses and illuminates meaning.  His settings have been described as "profoundly expressive and musical" and "free from the usual Christmas 'schmaltz' and hysteria." – Stephen J. Doughty, director of the Chorus of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
 
Commission a New Work

Jay welcomes commissions for:

•    Anthems for church services (various difficulty levels)
•    Extended works for choir and instruments for churches and choral societies
•    Service music (canticles, mass settings, etc.)
•    Works for specific liturgical occasions or seasons

Jay brings over four decades of practical church music experience to every composition.
 
The Collaborative Process: What Working with Jay Looks Like

Jay builds in review processes well before final deadlines. You will see drafts, offer feedback, and help shape the piece to better serve your ensemble and occasion. He's responsive to suggestions and willing to make revisions so that your ensemble can sound its best.  He will deliver the final score before it is due.

Jay can provide multiple versions of a work when appropriate - for example, Welcome All Wonders exists in both brass quintet and organ versions.  For his most recent work, Canticle of Creation, he created an organ reduction for continental European performances, and he has frequently adapted scores for instruments with different ranges.

Contact

Please feel free to contact Jay via email at jaywilcox1685@gmail.com.  If an in-person meeting to discuss your inquiry proves difficult, a phone number will be provided in response to your email to facilitate a discussion.