“An Unlikely Flock”, for saxophone duo

What is the piece?

A set of 10 character studies of different birds, each accompanied by an original haiku, for soprano and alto saxophones (12-15 minutes total).

The complete set of miniatures can be reordered, excerpted, or even played as interludes between the other works on a concert, to provide a high degree of flexibility with regard to programming. Though it is conceived primarily for professional or collegiate-level instrumentalists, talented students will certainly be able to perform many, if not all of the miniatures.

  • Hailed by Augusta Read Thomas as “excellent musicians and artists who play with nuance, grace and technical mastery,” Lati2de is an Ann Arbor-based chamber ensemble dedicated to the expansion and diversification of repertoire for the saxophone duo. Members Matt Dardick and Leo Schlaifer are first year Master’s students at the University of Michigan studying Saxophone Performance under Dr. Timothy McAllister.

    Since Matt and Leo began collaborating at Northwestern University in fall of 2018, they have commissioned numerous rising composers and brought their works to diverse venues across the United States including: the Chattooga Club, Brevard Music Center, Elmhurst University, Merit School of Music, the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference at Arizona State University, and the 2021 North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Conference at Hope College.

    Forthcoming engagements this season include presentations and masterclasses at Albion College, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This April, Lati2de will also perform Jordan Gudefin’s Scherzo Furioso with the Wartburg College Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Why join the consortium?

Consortium members will receive:

  • A digital copy of the score on May 1st

  • Exclusivity of performance rights for 10 months from the date of score distribution (May 1st, 2023-March 1st, 2024).

  • Right to premiere the work! Each performance by a consortium member during the exclusivity period may be listed in concert programs or other promotional materials as an equivalent “premiere”, regardless of if another consortium member has already performed the piece. This is inherent to the collective nature of the consortium, that all members have given equal contribution and will receive equal right to a premiere.

  • Recognition as a consortium member in all versions of the score and on relevant promotional materials/webpages, and the right to list yourself as a co-commissioner or consortium member in concert programs, etc.

FAQ

  • Professional ensembles/performers: $145*, due at time of contract, before April 30th (see timeline).

    Educational rate, for students enrolled at a university or conservatory, or other educational institution (high school, etc.): $75

    If the above costs are prohibitive, please feel free to contact Nelson directly. Let’s work something out!

    *per ensemble, or for a solo performer (see “I don’t have a duo” below)

    • April 30th: Deadline to join consortium. Contracts and payment must be submitted by this day!

    • May 1st: Digital score distributed to consortium members, and 10-month performance exclusivity begins.

    • March 1st, 2024: Performance exclusivity ends, performing rights become available to non-consortium members, and score becomes publicly available.

  • Commercial recording rights are reserved by the composer and the primary commissioning ensemble, and are not included in the consortium.

    However, non-commercial recordings are acceptable and encouraged, including recordings posted to YouTube, livestreams, etc.

    If you would like to discuss making a commercial recording of the work, please contact Nelson directly through the contact page.

  • Yes! Consortium membership is for established duos and “free-floaters” alike, so if you are a solo performer, you can still receive all the benefits of membership (and even perform the work with different duo partners during the exclusivity period).

  • Nelson Walker (he/they, b. 2000) is many things, but for the purposes of this consortium, he is primarily a composer. Nelson is pursuing his master’s degree in composition at the University of Michigan, studying with Kristin Kuster and Evan Chambers, and received his Bachelor’s from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2022, where he studied with Annika Socolofsky and Carter Pann (amongst others).

    Through his numerous collaborations with a wide range of artists and performers, he aspires to continually learn from the wisdom of those around him, and contribute what he may towards forging a more compassionate and equitable world. His music is motivated by the concept of vulnerability as a prerequisite for art, and the critical role of storytelling in building and strengthening community.

    Nelson believes the key to a happy life is a balance of gratitude, self-awareness and humility, unconditional compassion for all living things, acceptance of a constantly changing world, and lots of homemade vegan ramen.