The Paulus Fund

Paulus Fund Commissions

2019: Guidó Lopez-Gavilán with the Cuban American Youth Orchestra | Announcement | Press

2023: Aaron David Miller with The Singers

Mission

As a family we spent some time thinking of the best way to continue Stephen’s legacy. We feel it is in the spirit of Stephen’s life and work that we use the Paulus Fund to commission composers in a critical juncture in their career who could benefit from a significant commission. The idea would be to connect the selected composer to an ensemble/performer that commissioned or performed a piece of Stephen’s in the past.

We hope to offer these selected composers a significant commissioning fee, a significant boost in their careers, and the opportunity to work with a high profile performer or ensemble. We believe this kind of effort is in the spirit of Stephen’s life, work and vision for the field of music. As one of the co-founders of the American Composers Forum (formerly the Minnesota Composers Forum) and his 20+ years on the ASCAP Board of Directors as the sole representative of the Symphony and Concert contingency, Stephen was very interested in helping his fellow composers in any way possible.

The new music resulting from these commissions will be performed with an ensemble/performer and the Stephen Paulus Fund will be recognized at the premiere and in the program. As we hope to fund a number of commissions in the future, the Paulus Fund will remain active and continue to accept additional contributions in the future.

On behalf of myself, Greg and Andrew, thank you for remembering Stephen in this wonderful way that will result in new music in his honor.

Sincerely,

Patty, Greg, and Andrew Paulus