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2010 Commissioned Composer Guidelines & Application Information

Statement of Philosophy

MTNA is dedicated to encouraging the creation of new works by American composers and annually assists its affiliated state associations in the generation and performance of new music through the national composition commissioning program. (The California Association of Professional Music Teachers [CAPMT] is the MTNA affiliated organization in California.) To further promulgate and recognize outstanding contributions to American music, MTNA annually invites its state affiliates to submit their commissioned works to a panel of recognized composers for national competitive adjudication. The winning composition is presented in performance at the next MTNA national convention, and the composer is proclaimed the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. Dr. Sylvia Shepherd, MTNA member from California, sponsors the $3000 award to the winning composer.

CAPMT Commission

The amount of the California commission is $1750, funded by CAPMT, with matching funds from MTNA. The premiere performance of the commissioned work is given at the CAPMT state convention, held in February of the commissioning year. CAPMT encourages the commissioned composer to enter his or her work into the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year competition.

Composers, Composition, and Performance Guidelines for 2010

  1. The commissioned composer must live and work south of the northern boundaries of San Luis Obispo, Kern and San Bernardino Counties. 

    The premiere performance of the commissioned work will take place at the CAPMT 2010 State Conference.  Composers interested in the commission should understand that they are responsible for securing performers for this performance and that CAPMT provides no honorarium or expenses for this performance. (See #6 below).
  2. All composers not currently enrolled in an undergraduate or Master's degree program are eligible to apply. Submissions from doctoral candidates will now be accepted.
  3. A composer interested in being considered for the commission must submit a current resume and a score and tape of a recent or representative original chamber work. This work should be scored for 2-7 performers. These items should be submitted to the CAPMT Composer Commissioning Chair.

    Note: The selection process will be "blind":

    Composers' names must be deleted from the score and tape and the last four digits of the composer's social security number listed in their place. (The materials of the composer chosen to be California's Commissioned Composer will be required to have the partial social security numbers removed prior to submission to MTNA for the national competition.) All supporting materials should be enclosed in a sealed envelope. The last four digits of the composer's social security number should be noted on the outside of this sealed envelope as well on each of the items contained therein.
  4. A commissioned composer will be selected by a committee comprised of the CAPMT President, the District Coordinator of the district in which the premiere performance will take place, and the CAPMT Composer Commissioning Chair. Final approval will be made by the CAPMT Executive Board.
  5. The commissioned composition should be 10 - 15 minutes in length and may be for any performance medium. Since the premiere performance is normally presented on the conference chamber music concert, a solo work, or a work for small ensemble is preferable.
  6. The commissioned composer is responsible for securing the performer(s) for the commissioned work both at the CAPMT state conference, as well as at the national MTNA conference should the composer be selected the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. Neither CAPMT nor MTNA provides an honorarium or expenses for these performances. However, a $250 allowance is provided by CAPMT to make a recording of the premiere performance for submission to the national competition.

Procedure and Timeline

The following procedure and timeline are used for selection of the 2010 California MTNA Commissioned Composer:

  • Postmarked on or before July 1, 2008:  Interested composers should submit a current resume and a score and tape of a recent or representative original work to:

Mr. Dana Howell
CAPMT - 2010 Composer Commissioning Program
 c/o St. Timothy School
10479 West Pico Bl.,
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Additional contact information

A self addressed and stamped packet should be included for the return of the score and tape (if desired).

Note: Composers' names must be deleted from the score and tape and last four digits of the composer's social security number listed in their place. All supporting materials should be enclosed in a sealed envelope. The last four digits of the composer's social security number should be noted on the outside of this sealed envelope as well on each of the items contained therein.

  • November, 2008 : Selected 2010 California MTNA Commissioned Composer will be notified. The Composer Commissioning Chair will mail the selected composer a contract to be signed and returned.
  • February, 2010: Premier performance of the commissioned work at the CAPMT state Conference. Commission check awarded.
  • December 1, 2010: Deadline for submission of the unpublished score and tape of the commissioned work to the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year competition.
    (Each state's commissioned composer for each commissioning year will be considered for the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year award. The State MTA Commissioning Chair will submit four copies of the score and four copies of the recording to MTNA Headquarters, postmarked no later than December 1. Three copies of the score and three copies of the recording must be submitted with no identification whatsoever of the composer, copyright holder or the nominating state. The fourth copy of the score and recording should be labeled completely and properly for submission to the archives of the MTNA Commissioned Works Library. All submitted copies of the scores and CDs become the property of Music Teachers National Association. The three unmarked copies of scores and CDs will not be returned to the composer and will be discarded upon completion of the selection process.)
  • March, 2010: MTNA National Convention (location TBA) Presentation of the selected 2010 MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year.