NED CORMAN founded The Commission Project in 1994, having established Penfield Music Commission Project in 1984. The organizations have commissioned a total of more than 500 titles, of which roughly 150 are published and more than 60 are recorded and released. Mr. Corman taught concert band and jazz ensembles in Penfield School District in suburban Rochester, New York, 1968 to 1994 and chaired the District Music Department from 1980 to 1987. His former students hold positions in leading musical and nonmusical organizations. Six serve on The Commission Project's Board of Directors.

A native of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Ned Corman began his musical training as a clarinet and saxophone student making his first professional musical appearances at age 11. Mr. Corman earned his BM, PSM, and Performer's Certificate on clarinet at the Eastman School of Music, studying with the legendary clarinetist, D. Stanley Hasty. As a member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, he recorded six times on the Mercury Living Presence label under Frederick Fennell. Mr. Corman also earned his MA in Musicology at Pennsylvania State University, where he served as graduate assistant for Dennis Stevens.

Mr. Corman has performed and recorded with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, Chuck Mangione, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Jeff Tyzik, Gap Mangione, John Dankworth, and others. He has also worked with leading performers of the past forty years as musical contractor and performer: Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Maureen McGovern, Carol Channing, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Bob Hope, and Tina Turner.

Mr. Corman is proudly married for thirty-eight years to artist, Linda Q. Corman.

KAREN IHRIG joined The Commission Project in 1998 as the Administrative Assistant. Karen is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and in 1978 became a Certified Professional Secretary. Karen's many years of administrative work include administrative assistant for a local school district, fourteen years with Eastern Airlines (Miami and Rochester) and four years as an engineering secretary in Astoria, Oregon.