Commissioning FAQ's. (Composer Commissioning).(Music Teachers National Association Composer Commissioning Program)

At this writing, we are busy completing another year of the MTNA Composer Commissioning Program, including the selection of the MTNA Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. This seems like a good time to remind you to allow plenty of "lead time" for your next commission. Whether or not your state commissioned a work this year, now is a great time to begin planning your next (or your first) commissioned work.

The MTNA Composer Commissioning Program is well served by a distinguished Composer Commissioning Advisory Committee. The committee will meet again in March at the National Conference in Salt Lake City. This would be a great time for you to meet them and to share your state's concerns about the Composer Commissioning Program. The committee has a wealth of teaching, performing and composition experience. Members of the MTNA Composer Commissioning Committee are Patricia Plude, NCTM, San Francisco, California; Warren Gooch, Kirksville, Missouri; Ann Witherspoon, Houston, Texas; Deanna Walker, NCTM, Nashville, Tennessee; David Mattingly, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania; and Paula Gardiner, NCTM, Wilmington, Delaware. I am grateful to all of them for agreeing to serve on the committee.

The advisory committee is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the MTNA Composer Commissioning Program and increasing state affiliate participation. To that end, this column will review answers to three of the most frequently asked questions.

How Does a State Choose a Composer to Commission?

States can choose any American composer to commission. The method of selecting a composer is left up to the states. Many states use a small committee to make this choice, often with input from the state officers. Selection processes are quite varied among the states. Sometimes a composer is asked to submit a sample of his or her work, along with a proposal for a new composition. In some cases, states just identify the main composers they are interested in and contact the composers directly.

As long as consistent state guidelines and procedures are in place, states can make the selection of composers fairly easily. It also is possible for a state to simply offer the state commission to a given composer. Try to allow the composer a year or more to complete the commission process.

Where Do You Find Composers?