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Composers


Philosophy for the MTNA Commissioned Composer Program

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.

Distinguished Composer


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
1999 Dakota Sunset
(intermediate piano duet)
Published by Belwin/Warner Brothers
David Karp, SMU, Dallas, TX
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
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.