MTNA is dedicated to encouraging the creation of new works by American composers and annually assists its affiliated State Associations with the generation and performance of new music through the national Composer Commissioning program. A newly commissioned work receives its premiere performance at the convention of the State MTA responsible for that commission.
To further promote and recognize outstanding contributions to American music, MTNA annually has its State Affiliates submit their commissioned works to a panel of recognized composers for selection of the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year. The new work of the selected composer is presented in a concert performance at the next MTNA National Conference, and the composer is proclaimed the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year. The selected composer also receives a check for $5,000.
In 2002, our commissioned composer, Timothy Hoekman, was selected to receive the MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year for his composition To Make a Prairie for soprano and piano. To Make a Prairie is based on four poems by Emily Dickinson: To Make a Prairie, She Sweeps with Many-Colored Brooms, It Sifts From Leaden Sieves, and Two Butterflies Went Out at Noon.
Year | Composition | Composer and Location | |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | New Era Bagatelles (late intermediate piano) | Quinn Mason, Houston, TX | |
2015 | Poetic Preludes (intermediate piano) | Deanna Wehrspann, Sioux Falls, SD | |
2012 | Five Moments (soprano, piano) | Symeon Waseen, BHSU | |
2009 | The Catbird Seat (2 pianos, 4 hands) | Jeremy Hegg, Sioux Falls, SD | |
2005 | Nomadic Nocturne (piano, clarinet, percussion) | Paul Kolar, Eureka, SD | |
2002 | To Make a Prairie (soprano & piano) |
Awarded Sheperd Distinguished Composer of the Year, MTNA Timothy Hoekman, FSU, Tallahassee, FL |
|
2000 | South Dakota Suite (intermediate piano) |
Published as An American Portrait: Scenes of the Great Plains by FJH Music Valerie Roth Roubos, Spokane, WA |
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1999 | Dakota Sunset (intermediate piano duet) |
Published by Belwin/Warner Brothers David Karp, SMU, Dallas, TX |
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1998 | Sanguine (violin/piano) | William Wieland, NSU | |
1995 | Dachsie Dance (piano, 4-hands) | Stephen Yarbrough, USD | |
1993 | Finding Athène (youth piano concerto) |
Joint Commission with Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota & Nebraska Alf Houkom, Iowa City, IA |
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1992 | Contemplations (SATB choral 4 movements) | Merlyn R. Aman, BHSU | |
1991 | Resonet in Laudibus (SATB choral) | Stephen Yarbrough, USD | |
1990 | Four Pages from the Old Testament (choir/piano/mallets) | Allan Jacobson, NSU | |
1989 | A Little Brassy Jive (brass quintet) | Lori Neprud, Augustana | |
1988 | Circle Dance (clarinet, piano, percussion) | Anthony Lis, SDSU | |
1987 | A Trilogy of the Old West (SATB choral) | Merlyn R. Aman, BHSU | |
1986 | Sonata for Unaccompanied Cello | Robert Marek, USD | |
1984 | (percussion ensemble) | Louis Pape, DSU | |
1983 | December 26 (SATB choral) | Paul Royer, SDSU | |
1982 | Three Short Pieces (piano, 4 hands) | Lewis Hamvas, YC | |
1980 | Landscape III--Autumnal Equinox (piano solo) | Brian E. Belét, Rapid City | |
1978 | Songs from Corn Belt (vocal solo, piano) | Joel Hardyk, Huron College | |
1976 | West River Country (chamber orchestra) | Walter May, Augustana | |
1975 | commission not fulfilled because composer moved | James Stepleton, Augustana | |
1974 | The Miracle of Forgiveness (choral cantata with narrator) | Louis W. Pape, DSU | |
1973 | Song Cycle on Texts by Alfred Lord Tennyson (soprano, piano) | Ann Gebuhr, NSU | |
1972 | Vocalise for Choral Group Brass Quartet, Woodwind Quartet, Tympani & Organ | Maynard F. Berk, SFC | |
1970 | (flute, clarinet, bassoon) | Floyd A. McClain, YC | |
1969 | Fantasy 69 (violin/piano) | Paul Royer, SDSU | |
1968 | Sonnet to Jessica(voice, piano) Unto Thine Altar Lord We Come (wedding song) | Merritt Johnson, NSC | |
1967 | Fantasias for Brass Quartet | Robert Marek, USD |
You can download a complete list of the commissioned compositions here.