Commissioned Composer Program

MMTA is dedicated to supporting the creation of new works by American composers. 

The Massachusetts Commissioned Composer Program recognizes an outstanding professional composer with a commission award of $2,000 and a premiere performance at the biennial Quad State Convention. The Quad State Convention occurs every two years in either Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine.  

The commission is not a prize for an existing composition but rather a means of encouragement for a recognized composer to create a new musical work.

The winning composer of the Massachusetts Commissioned Composer program will also be considered for the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Distinguished Composer of the Year award.  Each MMTA commissioned piece is automatically entered into this national competition, which serves to promote and recognize outstanding contributions to American music.  

The winner is selected by a panel of recognized composers. The MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year receives an award of $5,000, and their newly commissioned piece is presented in a concert performance at the next MTNA National Conference.

Dorothy Travis, Commissioned Composer Chair


Eligibility, Guidelines and Submissions Process:

Submission for 2022-2024 is closed now.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 COMMISSIONED COMPOSER!

David Ibbett

MMTA is proud to announce the selection of Yoko Nakatani as the 2023 Massachusetts Composer of the year.  Yoko has composed many pieces for the piano employing extended techniques and will be working on a new piece for piano entitled Entre Noir et Blanc which premieres at the Quad State Convention in Vermont on October 21, 2023.

Learn more about Yoko at yokonakatani.com

October 2023:  Yoko will premiere her commissioned work at the Quad State Convention in Vermont. Composers from Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont will join Yoko at a special concert to present these commissioned works.

March 16-20, 2024:  Performance of the composition from the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year at the MTNA National Conference • Atlanta, GA.

Commissioned Composition: Entre Noir et Blanc

Performance of the composition be available after the Quad State Convention in October.

 Massachusetts Commissioned Composer History

 

Please click below for more information such as composition title, medium and performance link.

*MTNA National Winner