First Things First

What is Consortio?

Consortio is an online environment bringing composers and ensembles together to create crowdfunded musical works and increase the exposure of new music.

Consortio provides tools and services designed to make the crowdfunding process more efficient, effective, and enjoyable for all involved.

Why does Consortio exist?

Many hurdles exist today that stop composers and ensembles from commissioning by consortium, including contracting, payment collection and processing, artistic risk, effectively searching for the right project for programming, and more.  Yet commissioning is an exciting, unique, eye-opening, and inspiring process, and consortiums make it available to nearly everyone while still supporting the art and artists as they should be.

Consortio simplifies this process, removes the guesswork and financial risk, and makes it better for all parties.

When should I use Consortio?

Consortio is for many different groups of people.  You could be

• a seasoned composer who writes regular commissions but has never tried the consortium model,
• a new composer just starting out and looking for ensembles to take a chance on your music,
• an experienced choir director or member of an advanced ensemble looking for new music to fill an adventurous programming slot in the near or far future, or
• a choir director at a school with a limited new-music budget who still wants to provide the unique experience of commissioning new music for your students.

Regardless of where you are in your career as a composer or director, Consortio is an exciting opportunity for you and your future musical partners.

How does Consortio work?

Through Consortio's marketplace, prospective project members can find and help fund projects that fit their ensembles for future performance.  Once a composer's project reaches its member goal, the project members are charged and the composer begins writing the piece.  Upon completion, the composer uploads the final work and is paid.  The project members then have nine months during which they have exclusive rights to perform the piece before the composer is allowed to publish it for sale.

The process for composers and project members is different.

• If you're a composer, create your profile or find out how to begin a project here.
• If you're a prospective project member, here's a place to start.

In the event of complications when creating the new work, Consortio includes a manual review process and scenarios under which project members can choose to leave a project.  These scenarios include a composer’s failure to deliver the work on time or if they need to change the specifications of the project.  If a project member leaves, they won’t receive the score or rights to perform the work but will receive a full refund if they've already been charged.  The composers pay will be reduced based on the number of project members that leave from these events.

Who is Consortio?

Consortio is made up of two individuals who are passionate about making unique musical experiences available to all demographics.

Paul John Rudoi (CEO) is a composer, conductor, tenor vocalist, and music entrepreneur known for his award-winning compositions and his work with professional vocal ensembles including Cantus, Seraphic Fire, and Santa Fe Desert Chorale.

Tyler Flanders (CTO) is Consortio's product, design, and engineering leader, previously the Vice President of Technology for TakeLessons.com.

Is Consortio available in countries outside the USA?

Currently, Consortio is designed for users within the United States.  We look forward to serving international organizations in multiple languages soon.