What would be an appropriate amount for a musical commission?

You should ask him how much he charges for that, and go from there.

Or, think of a generous amount, and double that.

How sad to hear that you have lost your wife.
My condolences.

First my condolences on your loss.
It is a wonderful idea to want to do this to honor her. Try to keep money out of the equation.
I honestly think that if this is an acquaintance, then they will simply do this and be honored you asked. Don’t think of this as a monetary transaction. If they accept the ask, then you will find some way to repay them in a non-monetary way.

I’m so sorry you have lost your wife. Hugs. I would ask him how much he would charge.

I disagree with @Forever_Free – you are asking an expert in the field (music) to do some specific work for you in their area of expertise. They deserve to be paid. They don’t have the luxury of paying their rent with good wishes and promises.

I would say $1000. And hope that the composer is as good as you say.

@elbanditoroso An expert is one thing. Asking an acquaintance is completely different. If you are doing it for this reason and it is an accomplished acquaintance, then you should be willing to pay the piper. The acquaintance will handle the monetary aspect it appropriately.

@Forever_Free
Not if that acquaintance is an expert.
Also:
Rule of Acquisition #21: Never place friendship above profit.

I have questions regarding the words acquaintance and musician. Was your wife also acquainted with the musician? And does the musician also compose?

@ragingloli yes, my point exactly

So sorry for your loss.

Try the page Comm Basic Guide it has rates and everything.

Offer more than you think he could possibly expect. I would not accept $250 and I’m not a “excellent musician.”

Additionally. I thought about this often through my day today.
I posed this question to my band, and my cousins who are paid musicians of the highest caliber.
They all emphatically stated that any musician or poet worth an ounce of their artistic soul will not take a penny. Feel free to offer it for your own good.
They will do it for the honor of the person and of you considering them.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I actually got emotional by the thought of how you wanted to pay tribute to your wife’s life. What a beautiful and amazing way to celebrate her memory. I have no idea what this should cost, but I think it’s money well-spent. Sending you heartfelt condolences.

Thank you all for your condolences.
@HP The answers to your questions are yes and yes. The musician has composed some tunes before, but he does not do it exclusively for a living. He is a college-level professor of music. If he can play the Prokofiev violin concertos, I’d say he’s quite accomplished.

My wife enjoyed Scottish country dancing. (If you don’t know what that is, just Google it.) I’m having a dance devised in her memory, and the music is intended to go with the dance.

Hopefully these additional details help.