Massachusetts was honored to select Vartan Aghababian as our commissioned composer in 2019. At the Quad State Conference last October he premiered his piece entitled, Modal Dances, for flute, clarinet, bassoon and hand percussion. As we head towards our next Quad State conference in October of 2021, we are now taking nominations for the next commissioned composer who will represent our state.

Guide to nominating an individual for the MMTA Commissioned Composer:

• Any member of MMTA may nominate a composer.

• Nominations should be submitted to Dorothy Travis, Commissioned Composer Chair at commissions@mmta.net, and should include the nominee’s name, address, phone number, and email address.

• When considering making a nomination, first ascertain the interest of the prospective nominee in pursuing the commission.

• The nomination period closes on November 1, 2020.

• The commissioned composer chair will contact each nominee and request a resume (or curriculum vita) and an audio sampling of their previous work.

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 Conference. The Quad State Conference occurs every two years in either Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine, and the next conference will take place in Maine in October of 2021. 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.

The MMTA Commissioned Composer Program serves to support the careers of professional composers and is not to be confused with the MTNA Student Composition Competitions. Composers currently enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or master’s degree programs are NOT eligible to apply. However, submissions from doctoral candidates are accepted.

Qualifications:

• The nominee does not need to be a member of MMTA or MTNA.

• The nominee must be a legal resident of the United States and preferably a resident of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Vermont.

• The nominee may be any composer who will agree to the terms of the application and the rules and regulations of the competition.

• It is very important that all nominees understand that 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.

• More information may be found at: http://www.mmta.net/web_content.aspx?page_name=commissionedcomposer