Commissioned Composer

MTNA Commissioning Mission

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 composers commissioning program. A newly commissioned composition receives its premiere performance at the conference of the state MTA that commissions the work.

To further promote and recognize outstanding contributions to American music, MTNA annually has its state affiliates submit commissioned compositions 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 performance at the MTNA national conference, and the composer is proclaimed the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year. The selected composer receives a $5,000 award.

Commissioned Composer Application

2025 GMTA Commissioned Composer

GMTA Commissioned Composer

Ian Guthrie

2025 GMTA Commissioned Composer

Ian Evans Guthrie is a composer, performer, researcher, and collaborator, composing for acoustic and electroacoustic media from soloist through large ensembles. He has received the Mile High Freedom Band 2021 Commission, 1st prize for the Noosa-ISAM and Arcady Composition competitions, 2nd prize for the American Prize, a nomination from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and other accolades. His works have been performed worldwide by the Mile High Freedom Band, Northwest Symphony Orchestra, fEARnoMUSIC, Ensemble Offspring, Interlochen Arts Camp, and others. His works will be featured in upcoming concerts in The Philippines, New York, and elsewhere. His most recent commissions include ones from Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Keum Hwa Cha, and others.

Guthrie maintains an active piano career, and has won 2nd prize in the Great Composers Competition: Music of America and many other awards. Additionally, he is a collaborative pianist for the Interlochen Arts Camp and other organizations.

Guthrie received his DM from Florida State University, where he studied composition with Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Stephen Montague, Clifton Callender, Mark Wingate, and Ladislav Kubik. He is an Assistant Professor of Music at Calvary University, and serves on the boards of SCI, NACUSA, and CFAMC. For more information, please visit ianguthriecomposer.com.


Commissioned Composer Award/Prize Overview:

  • One cash award/commission fee of $1500 ($750 from MTNA, $750 from GMTA) will be awarded each year.
  • Commissioned composer will provide the performers and must be present at the GMTA Conference premiere to receive award. A digital copy of the premiere performance will be presented to the commissioned composer. The commissioned composition, or any portions of the commissioned composition, cannot be premiered prior to this event.
  • Commissioned work (score and audio) will be submitted by GMTA for the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year Award.
  • Commissioned composer will be featured on the GMTA webpage.
  • Performers of commissioned work at the GMTA Conference premiere will receive a stipend directly from GMTA up to $100 each, to a maximum of $500. The commissioned composer can supplement this amount should they choose. If the composer is also a performer at the premiere, the composer does not receive an additional performer stipend.

Commissioned Composer Chronological Timeline Overview:

  1. September 1: Applications Due
  2. October 15: Award Notification
  3. December 1: Award Announcement on GMTA Website
  4. June 1 (following year): Composition Completion Date, submitted to performers and GMTA Commissioning Chair
  5. Early November: GMTA Conference - Premiere performance and live recording, commission funds due
  6. December 1: Score and audio files submitted to MTNA for Distinguished Composer of the Year Award
  7. Late March (following Nov. premiere): MTNA National Conference performance (if selected)

Previous Commissioned Composers

pdf Click any composer for an informational PDF.

2024 James Devor
2023 Brandon Walker
2022 Brandon K. Smith
2021 Garrison Gerard
2020 Peter Van Zandt Lane
2019 Terry Lowry
2018 Lauren McCall
2017 Dr. Benjamin Warsaw
2016 Dr. David Peoples
2015 Greg McLean
2014 Sharon J. Willis
2013 Curtis Bryant
2012 Melinda Clark
2010 Lee Johnson
2009 Sorrel Hayes
2008 Dr. William Davis
2007 Geoffrey Haydon
2006 Dr. Michael Braz
2005 Dr. Martin David Jones
2004 Nick Demos
2003 Jim Stallings
2002 Dr. John Morgan
2001 Dr. John Corina
2000 Bill Rea
1999 Dr. Laurence Sherr
1998 Kendall Simpson
1997 Brent Weaver
1996 Greg McLean
1995 Dr. Carl Johnson
1994 Alvin Singleton
1993 Lucy L. Underwood
1992 Phillip Hayner
1991 Steve Everett
1990 Jacquelyn Spratlin Rogers
1989 Shirley Moore
1988 William Davis
1987 Curtis Bryant
1986 Robert Schultz
1985 Roger C. Vogel
1984 William Windstead
1983 Charles Knox
1982 Dr. Douglas Ashley
1981 Arthur Frackenpohl