Composer Commissioning.

MTNA is dedicated to encouraging the creation of new works by American composers and annually assists its affiliated state associations with the generation and performance of new music through the MTNA Composer Commissioning program.

The Composer Commissioning program is available for participation by all 51-state affiliates and continues to be one of the most important programs for MTNA. Combining the need in the United States to perpetuate the art of new American music and for states to have an opportunity to highlight live performances of new music, the commissioning program allows MTNA and state affiliates to pool resources to commission new works. All states have the opportunity to commission a composer and apply for a matching grant from MTNA. States can combine and commission a composer together or commission a composer on their own. States initiate the process by choosing, approaching and commissioning a composer. The state then premieres the work at the state convention and then submits the composition and composer in the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year's selection process. The selected composition is performed and the composer is honored at the MTNA National Conference.

As part of its Composer Commissioning program, MTNA introduced the Distinguished Composer of the year award in 1969 to encourage the creation of new American music and honor talented composers.

When the award was established, according to Homer Ulrich in A Centennial History of the Music Teachers National Association, the rules stated "that any state music teachers association affiliated with MTNA may commission any composer of its choice. (The commissioned composer need not be a resident of the commissioning state.) Matching funds of up to $750 are made available by the National Headquarters, all works are performed at the state convention, and the tapes and scores are forwarded to the National Headquarters in Cincinnati. From these commissions, one composer is selected each year by a panel of judges to receive a plaque with the citation 'Distinguished Composer of the Year Award.'"

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Information, contracts and other commissioning documents can be found on the MTNA website under the "Programs" tab.