Steve has commissioned six-time Grammy-winning composer/pianist Billy Childs, and long-time friend and musical collaborator, to write a piece for him with a wind ensemble. It is one of Steve’s bucket list items. The commission is a 12-minute piece for wind ensemble, piano, and saxophone soloist, and will have elements of both classical music and jazz.
There are eight co-commissioners who have helped fund the writing of the composition, and they will be the first to have Steve play the piece with their wind ensembles. We are thankful for their support:
- West Chester University, West Chester, PA: World Premiere on March 22, 2025, Residency March 20 – 23, 2025
- University of MI, Ann Arbor: Performance, April 14, Residency April 10 – 14, 2025
- DC Jazz Festival, Washington, DC: Performance, Aug 30, 2025
- University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO: Oct 2025
- University of South Florida, Tampa, FL: Performance Nov 16, 2025, Residency Nov 12 – 15, 2025
- Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH: Performance, Nov 20, 2025
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA: Dates TBD
- Temple University, Philadelphia, PA: Dates TBD
For more information, please contact Laura Hartmann at Laura@Lvanhart.com, or call 917-301-1747.
“The result of this commission is going to be phenomenal! When I heard Steve Wilson tell Christian McBride in an interview that one of his dreams was to solo with a wind ensemble, I almost went off the road. I was home in three minutes and sent him an email immediately. When I learned that Billy Childs was the chosen composer, I was over-the-top thrilled. A world class composer and a world class performer creating this experience for wind bands is beyond words. There are just so many great aspects to this project for everyone who gets involved.”
– Glenn C. Hayes, Director of Bands, UW-Whitewater
As leader of the commissioning consortium for this special project, I am honored to be involved in such a worthy cause for new music. Steve Wilson and Billy Childs share a special relationship in modern music, and the promise of a new work for wind ensemble is a fantastic way to cement that relationship historically. Billy’s place in the modern musical world has been celebrated because of his commitment to improvisation and concert music traditions at the highest level. New concertos increasingly include more of this cross-pollination and there is no better team than Billy and Steve to show us the way. Programmable, engaging, creative, and human: I can’t think of anything better.
– Jonathan Ragonese, Dir of Jazz Studies, West Chester University
“The opportunity to experience a work for wind ensemble by Billy Childs in tandem with the artistry of Steve Wilson will be a great benefit to generations of students. The diversity of their backgrounds and experiences as they come to life in the composition and the subsequent performances will significantly add to the growing body of diverse musical styles within the repertoire for wind groups. An affordable consortium with so much upside is not to be overlooked.”
– Michael Haithcock, Director of Bands, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music (Conducting), University of Michigan
“Steve Wilson is one of our most accomplished alumni, and VCU Music is thrilled that this new work for wind ensemble will feature his talents. We look forward to any opportunity to bring him our way and share his superb talents as performer and clinician with our students and community. And if this wind ensemble piece prompts Steve’s arrival, our Jazz Program will seek to expand any visit he makes here so as to maximize his positive impact.”
– Terry Austin, Director of Bands, Interim Chair, VCU Music
– Antonio García, Director of Jazz Studies