Commissioned Composer Program
To encourage the creation of new music by American composers, the Washington State Music Teachers Association partners with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) to commission new works. Each year, WSMTA commissions a Washington State composer to write a composition to be premiered at the State Conference in June. Commissioned composers will receive $2,500.
The composer may then submit their composition to the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year committee the following fall. This committee selects one composer to be honored as the National Distinguished Composer of the Year, whose composition is then performed at the MTNA national conference. All compositions are placed in the MTNA Commissioned Works Library.
Every composer involved to date has shown excitement and enthusiasm for this project, often stating that it gives them an incentive to accomplish something they might not have done otherwise. The composers are often asked to provide an intermediate-level composition for students to learn.
If you have questions, please contact Commissioned Composer Committee Chair Louise Nedela.
2024 Call Coming Soon
It is not too early for composers to be thinking of exploring this exciting venture. The state Composers of the Year are coveted awards for composers, and all state Commissioned Composers are considered for the MTNA National award. Please see 2023 Call for Commissioned Composers below to get an idea of what the committee will be looking for. As you prepare you should keep a few requirements in mind.
- The selected State Commissioned Composer will be responsible for financial and logistics regarding performers, rehearsals, and performance of the selected composition at the conference, and also provide copies for archives
- To keep composer’s costs to a minimum, it is suggested that the piece be for one or two performers
- The monetary amount for WSMTA CCOY is $2500
WSMTA also requires:
- A composition for advanced or professional level for any instrument or voice
- The composer must reside in Washington State
- The composer does not need to be a member of MTNA or WSMTA
- Previous CCOY and employees of WSMTA are ineligible
- Submissions will be accepted between February 1-April 15, 2023
Composers can begin now in preparation! The Commissioned Composer Committee will be looking for:
- Two of your original existing compositions (no arrangements) that represent your compositional ability for this project
- A short bio and contact information
- A synopsis of your intended project that adheres to the requirements
The selected composer will subsequently prepare a new composition. Please feel free to contact Louise Nedela with any questions at louisenedela@gmail.com.
2023 Call for Composers!
Submissions Accepted
February 1, 2022 – April 15, 2022
To encourage the creation of new music by American composers, the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) annually assists its State Associations with a Composer Commissioning Program. Each State commissioned composition is digitally submitted to MTNA for selection of the National Distinguished Composer of the Year, which is presented in concert and receives $5000. The composer retains ownership of the composition.
In conjunction with MTNA, the Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA) is seeking candidates for the 2023 Commissioned Composer of the Year (CCOY) to prepare a new composition according to the requirements below. The selected commissioned composer will receive $2500 when the composition is premiered at the June 2023 WSMTA state conference.
The selected State Commissioned Composer (as well as the selected National Distinguished Composer) will be responsible for financial and logistics regarding performers, rehearsals, and performance of the selected composition at the conference, and also provide copies for archives. To keep composer’s costs to a minimum, it is suggested that the piece be for one or two performers.
The WSMTA 2023 composition requirements:
- For Advanced or Professional level for any instrument or voice
- Composer must reside in Washington State
- Membership in WSMTA or MTNA is not required
- Previously commissioned composers and current employees of WSMTA are ineligible to apply
For further contract responsibilities, rights of a commissioned composer, and other information contact Louise Nedela.
To be considered, please submit the following by April 15, 2022 to Louise Nedela:
- Two of your original compositions that you have in your catalog that you feel will be representative of your compositional ability for this project; format–pdf scores and mp3 recordings; (arrangements not accepted)
- A short bio
- Contact information
- A synopsis of your intended project that adheres to the requirements
The selected composer will subsequently prepare a new composition as stated above.
Please feel free to contact Louise Nedela with any questions: louisenedela@gmail.com, phone: 360-448-8572
WSMTA Commissioned Composers Since 1975
1975 | David Robbins |
1976 | William Doppman |
1978 | Wendal Jones |
1980 | Paul Polombo |
1981 | Michael Young |
1982 | Brother Ronald Hurst |
1985 | Alan Hovhaness |
1986 | Tomas Svoboda |
1987 | Bern Herbolsheimer |
1988 | William Bergsma |
1989 | Greg Short |
1990 | Normand Poulshock |
1991 | James Beale |
1992 | William Brandt |
1993 | Roger Briggs |
1994 | Diane Thome |
1995 | David Jones |
1996 | David Asplin |
1997 | Charles Argersinger |
1998 | Carol Sams |
1999 | Clement Reid |
2000 | Jonathon Middleton |
2001 | Greg Youtz |
2002 | Don Caron |
2003 | Greg Yasinitsky |
2004 | B. J. Rosco |
2005 | Robert Lundquist |
2006 | Valerie Roubos |
2007 | Gail Gross |
2008 | Meg Mann |
2009 | Victoria Sabo |
2010 | Keva Vaughan-McMorrow |
2011 | Robert Spittal |
2012 | Ryan Hare |
2013 | Reginald Unterseher |
2014 | Liz Nedela |
2015 | Gay Santerre |
2016 | Gregory Youtz |
2017 | Brent Edstrom |
2018 | Keva Vaughan-McMorrow |
2019 | Bruce Stark |
2021 | Dawn Sonntag |
Commissioned Composer
of the Year
2022
Shlomo Farber
Shlomo was born in Israel and relocated to the Portland/Vancouver area to be close to family. With passion for jazz, classical music, folk tunes, and film music, Shlomo earned degrees in piano performance, composition, and Cinematic orchestration. A former member of the Portland Symphonic Choir, Shlomo won their competition for choral music composition in 2018. As a multi-disciplinary musician, Shlomo has played in various jazz ensembles in the Portland area and is pursuing a career as a film composer.
Maintaining a teaching studio, Shlomo works with students of all ages and has developed learning games for his students. Shlomo’s music has been performed by various orchestral and choral ensembles including the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Shlomo has recently joined Oregon’s National Guard band and is a recent
graduate of the U.S. Army school of music.
Nocturne for Cello and Piano
The past years have been giving humanity a large dose of adversity. As music is a form of therapy, this piece encapsulates a combination of an existential struggle along with the yearning for a resolution and a hope for a brighter future. The harmonic language is largely influenced by jazz and film music and the structure combines various elements of traditional forms such as sonata and rondo. The piece is entitled “Nocturne” as it features a melodic line with repetitive accompanying textures. However, it brings a new
interpretation to the genre. In this context, the nocturne is featuring some of the darkness that the night brings along with a few glimpses of light.
Shlomo Farber’s nocturne premiered at the WSMTA Conference on June 23, 2022 with David Eby on cello and Jenny Peterson on piano.
Jenny Peterson is an accompanist, piano instructor, and ballet pianist. A Pacific Northwest native, she has worked as an accompanist for Portland State University, Hillsboro School District, BodyVox, The Portland Ballet, and Northwest Dance Project and has taught and performed at Centrum’s Acoustic Blues Festival in Port Townsend, Washington. She is a dedicated piano teacher based in Portland, OR and delights in sharing and making music with others.
David Eby is a founding cellist for the internationally acclaimed band, Pink Martini, performs with the Oregon Symphony, and teaches at Lewis & Clark College and the Oregon Episcopal School. David made his solo debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony at age 16 and studied at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Paul Katz of the Cleveland Quartet. He also had the great privilege of studying under Janos Starker at Indiana University.