DAMARISCOTTA — Salt Bay Chamberfest has launched a new music commission project, Sound Investment, in which a group of individuals will fund the commission of a new piece of classical chamber music.

The program is modeled on one begun by the New Jersey Symphony and since adapted by other organizations including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, according to a release.

“Twenty-five commissioners will make a ‘sound investment’ of $100 each and get their names on the dedication page of the score,” the release states.

Chamberfest Artistic Director Wilhelmina Smith selected composer Roger Zare to write the short piece of chamber music.

To provide a more meaningful engagement with living composers, the public will have several opportunities to get to know Zare, his music, and his creative process well before the August premiere at the 2012 Salt Bay Festival.

He will visit Damariscotta in mid-May, and then introduce his work-inprogress and discuss his compositional process at a public event in late June.

Zare will return in August for the world premiere of his new piece at the final concert of the 2012 Festival.

For information about how to become a commissioner, call 522-3749 or email contact@saltbaychamberfest.org.