September, 2007 
 

ATTENTION AMERICAN COMPOSERS:

MICHIGAN MUSIC TEACHERS COMMISSIONING PROGRAM 

The Michigan Music Teachers Association sponsors a commissioned composition each year to be presented at the annual convention held in October.  ( NOTE:  THIS POSTING IS FOR THE OCTOBER 2008 CONVENTION.)  The amount of the commission will be $1500.00.  The Composition is also submitted for consideration in the deliberations for the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year Award.  The composer selected by the national panel will be awarded $3000.00 following the performance of the new work at the national conference (spring, 2009). 

      MMTA requirements for the commissioned composition will be that it is between ten and fifteen minutes in length and is written for no more than six instruments or voices.  It will be the responsibility of the composer to attend the State Conference, provide performers for the presentation of the work, and if s/he chooses to enter the National program, arrange for the recording of the composition. 

      We especially encourage composers from Michigan to apply, but welcome those from other states if financial considerations are not prohibitive.  Regrettably, we are not able to provide additional funds for travel, hotel, or performer expenses.

      If you would like to be considered for the commission, please send a representative composition with a CD to Charles Aschbrenner (address below) postmarked by December 31, 2007.  Entries will be evaluated and all entrants notified as soon as a final composer has been selected.  It is possible that both the 2008 and 2009 commissions could be awarded during this evaluation procedure, providing there are two compositions of comparable rank. 

Additional Requirements:

• Citizenship of composer:  American
• Minimum age:  18
• Composer may not be one previously commissioned by MMTA for this event
• Send only ONE composition (score and CD) to be judged
• Composition must be recent (within the last 5 years)
• Specify on the score:  length of composition (limit is 20 minutes)
• Do NOT announce your name on the CD and cover names on the score, including dedications, performers or any other identifications
• Specify on CD:
  1. Title of composition
  2. Length of composition
  3. Instrumentation

PLEASE COPY, POST, AND CIRCULATE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT!  YOU ARE ALSO WELCOME TO CALL OR WRITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. 

Sincerely,

Charles Aschbrenner, Composers Commissioning Program Chair
Michigan Music Teachers Association
Hope College
127 East 12^th Street
Holland, MI  49423

616.395.7643 or aschbrenner@hope.edu