The National Composer Commissioning Program supported by MTNA through the affiliated state associations is designed to encourage the creation of new works by American composers. The Indiana MTA board commissions a composition annually that receives its premiere performance at the state conference.
The composition is then submitted to MTNA to a panel of recognized composers for selection of the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year. The new work of the selected composer is presented in a performance at the MTNA national conference, and the composer is proclaimed the MTNA “Distinguished Composer of the Year.”
The selected composer receives a $5,000 award.
On this page you will:
- Important points to note
- Nomination form for composer commissioning
- History of MTNA/IMTA Commissioned Compositions
For more information or questions regarding the program, please contact the IMTA board’s MTNA Composer Commissioning chair, Caroline KyungA Ahn.
Important Points to Note
- This is a joint commission from IMTA/MTNA.
- The piece will be entered into the MTNA national competition for Distinguished Composer of the Year ($5,000 prize).
- The current commission amount is $1500 ($750 provided by IMTA; $750 matched by MTNA) and will include a Form 1099.
- The premier must be at the IMTA state conference, with the completion of the piece at least 4 weeks prior.
- It is the composer’s responsibility to provide performers for the premiere at the state conference, and also at the national conference if the piece wins the Distinguished Composer of the Year award.
- It is the composer’s responsibility to provide 4 scores and 4 recordings to the IMTA commissioning chair for submission to MTNA by Dec. 1 following the premiere performance.
- The complete MTNA guidelines are on the MTNA website.
- Copyright and future publication rights all remain with the composer.
Nominations for Commissioned Composer
If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) for the MTNA/IMTA Commissioned Composer program, please fill out the form below. Application deadline is February 1 of each calendar year.
Nominations are not limited in any way. The candidate selected to be the Commissioned Composer will be notified in April by the IMTA Commissioned Composer chair.
MTNA/ IMTA Commissioned Compositions
2022 – Kevin McMahon | Moments in Time (piano)
2021 – Ryan Oliver | Burst – Reflection (piano)
2020 – John Liberatore | Telarañas (guitar)
2019 – Benjamin Dean Taylor | Get More Epic (saxophone)
2018 – Benjamin Krause – Distinguished Composer of the Year, MTNA | Taxonomies of Pulse (two pianos)
2017 – Marc Wooldridge | Cyclic variations (percussion quartet)
2016 – Jorge Muniz Goyescas XXI | Homage to Enrique Granados (piano, cello, violin)
2015 – Caroline KyungA Ahn | When the Ocean Speaks (two pianos) 1. Breaking the Stillness 2. Lullaby 3. Stormy Afternoon
2014 – Michele Murray | A Day in the Life Suite (piano duet)
2013 – John Berners | Star Harp Tender (piano solo)
2012 – Anthony Lanman | Rush (alto saxophone, electronic cello, electric guitar, accordion)
2011 – Aaron Travers | Sonatina for Piano Solo (piano)
2010 – Don Freund | Autumn Songs (piano, violin, cello)
2009 – Dana Collins | Phantasie (flute, piano)
2008 – Christopher Goldston | Crossroads of America (intermediate piano suite)
2007 – Todd Syswerda | Behind the Curtain (chamber choir, string quartet, and piano)
2006 – Daniel Powers | The Rain is Full of Ghosts (soprano, viola, piano)
2005 – Eleanor Trawick | (piano)
2004 – Frank Felice – Honorable Mention, MTNA | Two by Four (3 violins, viola)
2003 – Marjorie Rusche | Hearing the Grass Grow, my Water Buffalo (soprano, cello, piano)
2000 – Libby Larsen | Now Dance (children’s choir)
1996 – Debora DeWitt | Three Portraits (piano duo)
1988 – Michael Schelle – National Honor, MTNA | Musica Magnetizzare (alto, violin, alto saxophone, tuba, 2 percussionists, piano)
1977 – Richard Faith | Songs of Spring (soprano, flute, piano)
1972 – Morris Knight | (voice, piano)
1967 – Jon Polifrone | Four Songs for Tenor 1967 (tenor, piano)