Schedule of Minimum Commissioning Fees

The fees indicated are the CLC’s suggested minimum rates, effective January 1, 2025 (1.6% inflation – Sept. 2024)

*The CLC minimum recommended fees will be adjusted to inflation based on the September end of month CPI provided by Statistics Canada. Fee increases will be posted after the announcement of the September CPI. This announcement usually happens mid to late October. The dollar amounts will be rounded up to the next whole number. The increased fees will be made effective January 1st of each year.

I Chamber Ensembles Fee per minute

One or two parts $513  
Three or four $573 
Five to Eight $646
Nine to Fifteen $742

II Orchestra Fee per minute

Chamber orchestra up to 15 parts $742
Orchestra over 15 parts $953

III Chorus Fee per minute

A cappella up to seven vocal parts $573
A cappella eight vocal parts or more $646
With piano or other solo instrument, up to seven vocal parts $675
With piano or other solo instrument, eight vocal parts or more, $749
With instrumental ensemble (up to eight instrumental performers) $831
With chamber orchestra (nine to fifteen instrumental performers) $922
With full orchestra (over 15 parts) $1025

IV Electroacoustic Music per minute

Plus studio rental unless provided $675
For the addition of electronics, including but not limited to live electronics, fixed media, or multimedia to a solo or ensemble work, add $176 to the appropriate rate.

V Stage works

Opera, ballet, multi-media, functional music: to be negotiated

VI Suggested music copying rate

See our Schedule of Music Engraving and Preparation Rates.

Commission fees do not include expenses for copying and reproduction, which should be assumed by the commissioner. The composer is responsible for providing a legible score which can be reproduced.

The fee for any composition over 20 minutes in duration, in all categories, is to be negotiated.

—Not sure where to finance your commission taking these rates into consideration? Many commissions are supported through arts council grants. Check out the grants available though federal, provincial, and municipal arts councils like the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Arts NL, the Toronto Arts Council, and more.