CAPMT is committed to supporting the careers of California composers. The chosen recipient of the CAPMT 2021 Commission will write a new work to be premiered at the 2021 CAPMT State Conference (date and location TBA). The 2021 CAPMT Commission fund of $2000 is funded with the support of MTNA. The 2021 Commissioned Composer’s composition will be submitted to the MTNA national competition.
Current Commissioned ComposerAmy StephensPianist Amy Stephens is an award-winning Third Stream and jazz composer. Her solo piano works include Scenes of San Francisco and Becoming: Suite for Solo Piano. She has recorded several albums of her jazz ensemble compositions with her critically acclaimed quartet, Amy Stephens Group. Teaching privately since 1993, Amy is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. Amy earned two Bachelors, a Masters, and Performer’s Certificate in classical & jazz piano from Indiana University. Her jazz and classical mentors include David N. Baker, Lynne Arriale, Luke Gillespie, Marius Nordal, and Evelyne Brancart. Amy also enjoys serving as a clinician and evaluator for festivals and adjudications. She loves living in San Francisco and exploring the coast with her family. For recordings and scores: www.amystephens.com. "Receiving the CAPMT Commissioned Composer 2021 award is absolutely beyond words for me--I hope to capture in music how incredibly grateful I am for this honor!" ––Amy Stephens ‘I find Amy Stephens' music immediately accessible and richly expressive. Immediately apparent is the way in which Amy incorporates the language of jazz into classical forms. The sophistication with which she does this sets her apart from others who may pay homage to another genre. The result: a fully integrated and individual style.' ––Craig Richey, CAPMT Commissioned Composer Chair |
Past Commissioned Composers2019 CAPMT Commissioned Composer |
The CAPMT Commissioned Composer Program serves to support the careers of professional composers and is not to be confused with the MTNA Student Composition Competitions. As such, composers currently enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or master’s degree programs are NOT eligible to apply. However, submissions from doctoral candidates are accepted.
Composers must be residents of the State of California.
DEADLINE: MAY 23, 2022
CAPMT Commissioned Composer Application Form will be available in the Spring
All materials must be uploaded as part of the CAPMT Commissioned Composer Application Form
PDF of scores
Audio recording (MP3) and/or video link
Composers must also submit the following Accompanying Documents:
Introductory Cover Letter
Résumé and/or Curriculum Vitae
List of Complete Works
Composers are also encouraged to submit Supporting Documents, such as:
Press clippings
Reviews
Links to performance videos
Composer’s website
Any other social media sites that the Composer would like the selection committee to review
A single PDF containing all accompanying and supporting documents and links is acceptable, but not mandatory
The Commissioned Composer will be selected by a committee comprising the CAPMT Commissioned Composer Chair, CAPMT State President, and a third judge chosen by the Commissioned Composer Chair.
The selected Commissioned Composer will write a work 10–15 minutes in length for any performance medium. Since the commissioned composition is typically premiered at the CAPMT State Conference on a chamber music concert, a solo or small chamber work, not to exceed seven players, is preferable. CAPMT will provide a stipend of $150 per performer, maximum of $1,050 (7 performers), to engage musicians for the CAPMT State Conference premiere performance. CAPMT offers no additional financial assistance in this regard and does not offer any additional stipend for travel or lodging. The 2020 CAPMT Conference TBA.
MAY 23, 2022 (MON)
Composer’s submitted materials must be uploaded as part of the CAPMT Commissioned Composer Application Form
JUNE 6, 2022(MON)
The Commissioned Composer Selection Committee will notify the winning composer
SEPTEMBER 1, 2022 (THUR)
Delivery of commissioned composition: PDF of completed score must be sent via e-mail to the CAPMT Commissioned Composer Chair at craigrichey@me.com
October 2022 (FRI–SAT)
Premiere performance of the commissioned composition at the CAPMT State Conference TBA
December 1, 2022 (THUR)
Deadline for CAPMT Commissioned Composer Chair to submit the commissioned composition to the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year Award Competition
March 25-29, 2023 (SAT–WED)
MTNA National Conference • Reno, Nevada