Michigan Lake Scene

Commissioned Composers


The Michigan Music Teachers Association sponsors a commissioned composition each year to be presented at the annual state conference. The current commission, in collaboration with MTNA, is $1500. The composition is then submitted for consideration for the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year Award. The composer selected by the national panel is awarded $3000 following the performance of the new work at the national conference.

MMTA requires the commissioned composition to be 10-15 minutes in length and to be written for no more than six instruments or voices. It is the responsibility of the composer to attend the State Conference, provide performers for the presentation of the work, and arrange for the recording of the composition and it's submission to the national office for further consideration.

We encourage composers from Michigan to apply: please see restrictions below. No funds are provided for travel, hotel, performer or recording expenses.

How to Apply

If you would like to be considered for the commission, please send a representative composition and a CD recording to Charles Aschbrenner (address below) postmarked by December 31, 2010. Entries will be evaluated and all entrants notified as soon as a final composer has been selected. MMTA will award $250 for the composition selected as first runner-up.

Additional Requirements:

  • Composer must be an American citizen
  • Composer must be a legal resident of Michigan, or be a student or teach at a Michigan school
  • Composer must be at least 18 years of age
  • Composer may not have been previously commissioned by MMTA for this event
  • Send only ONE composition (score and CD) to be judged
  • Composition must be written within the last 2 years
  • Specify length of composition on the score (limit is 15 minutes)
  • Do NOT announce your name on the CD, and cover names on the score, including dedications, performers or any other identification

Specify on CD:

  1. Title of composition
  2. Length of composition
  3. Instrumentation

For More Information

Contact Charles Aschbrenner, Composers Commissioning Program Chair.
Department of Music
Hope College
127 East 12th Street
Holland, Michigan 49423
Phone: 616-395-7643
Email: aschbrenner@hope.edu

Michigan MTA is affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association
All contents © 2009 Michigan Music Teachers Association