The lifeblood of today's professional composer are commissions and many of Ian Venables's most important works have been commissioned works. These commissions are varied and include public bodies for example, the Arts Council, trusts, concert clubs, businesses and private individuals.
It is through the generosity of such institutions that composers are able to bring to fruition their creative ideas.
Ian Venables would be pleased to consider any commission.
The cost of commissions will depend upon a number of factors and the table of below will provide a rough guide for any commissioning body.
All costs below include a finished typeset score and parts where applicable.
| Category | Instrumentation | Duration | Cost |
| Solo songs | Voice and piano | Up to 3 min per song | £500 |
| Voice and piano | 3-5 min per song | £750 | |
| Voice and piano plus an additional instrument | 3-5 min per song | £900 | |
| Voice with additional instruments | Voice and string quartet | Cycle of 4 songs | £4500 |
| Voice, string quartet and piano | Cycle of 4 songs | £5000 | |
| Chamber music | Solo instrument plus piano | Per minute | £175 |
| Two instruments | Per minute | £200 | |
| Three instruments | Per minute | £250 | |
| Four instruments | Per minute | £275 | |
| Five instruments | Per minute | £300 | |
| Choral music | S. A. T. B. plus organ | Per minute | £300 |
Other instrumental combinations to be negotiated with the commissioning body.