Commissioned Composers
Commissioned Composer Chair
Dr. Dianna Anderson
dianna.anderson@minotstateu.edu
Phone: (701) 833-4253
The MTNA Commissioned Composer program is to encourage the creation of new works by American composers.
NDMTA has been an avid supporter of the MTNA Commissioned Composer program since 1964. Each year NDMTA, through MTNA, commissions a composer to write a work to be performed at the NDMTA Conference. The composition is submitted to the MTNA for consideration for performance at the MTNA national conference and the composer to be named the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year.
Information about how to become a Commissioned Composer is available at:
https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/Engage/Commissioned_Composer/Commissioned_Composer.aspx
Commissioned Composers:
| Year | Composer | Composition |
| 1964 | Daniel Goode, Fargo | "Symphonia" for violin, cello & piano |
| 1976 | Theodore Duda, Bismarck | "Cantata #3: All Love Shall Sleep" for baritone, viola, horn and cello |
| 1977 | Stuart Glazer, Valley City | Sonata for Trumpet and Piano |
| 1978 | Robert Wharton, Grand Forks | "Tangram" for piano, violin & tape |
| 1979 | Elwood Brown, Dickinson | "Of Dreams" for voice, piano and two flutes |
| 1980 | Edwin Fissinger, Fargo | "Arise Shine, for Thy Light is Come" for chorus |
| 1981 | Robert Larson, Minot | "A Christ Cycle" for baritone and piano |
| 1982 | Richard H. Smith, Jamestown | "The Shepherd' Christmas Song" for chorus |
| 1983 | Tom Porter, Mandan | "Two Pieces for Woodwind Quintet" |
| 1984 | Stuart Glazer, Valley City | "Inner City Nightscape" for flute and piano |
| 1985 | Elwood H. Brown, Dickinson | "Ascension Motet" for chorus, trumpets and organ |
| 1986 | James Fry, Grand Forks | "Homage for Violin, Clarinet and Piano" |
| 1987 | Herbert M. Parker Jr., Williston | "Serenity" for piano |
| 1988 | Daniel Breeden, Fargo | "A Musical Diary" for piano |
| 1989 | Tom Porter, Mandan | "Prairie Sketches" for piano |
| 1993 | James Fry, Grand Forks | "Kaleidoscope"(national winner) forpiano & clarinet |
| 1994 | Richard Neukom, Devils Lake | "Devils Lake: Winter '93" for violin, viola and cello |
| 1995 | Karen Zeller, Fargo | "If A Bird Would Sit On My Finger" for clarinet and flute |
| 1996 | Michael Balke, Grand Forks | "Change of Heart" for jazz combo |
| 1997 | Carrie Kraft, Jamestown | "Four Songs For Leaves of Grass" for men's chorus |
| 1998 | James Thornton, Minot | A Trio written for piano, violin and euphonium |
| 1999 | William Tornow, Bismarck | "Psalm 1" for soprano, clarinet and piano |
| 2000 | Melody Bober, Detroit Lakes, MN | "Suite North Dakota" for euphonium, piano, flute and soprano |
| 2001 | Herb Parker, Williston | "I Will Sing Praise to the Lord on High" for SATB choir a capella |
| 2002 | Dr. William Wieland, Aberdeen, SD | "Abraham's Faith" for Wind ensemble |
| 2003 | Dr. Michael Wittgraff, Grand Forks | "Child's Play" for clarinet and percussion |
| 2004 | Jocelyn Hagen, Valley City | "Songs of Fields and Prairies" for soprano and piano |
| 2005 | Dr. Steven Sudduth, Dickinson | "Fantasy for Trombone and Piano" |
| 2006 | Dr. Matthew Patnode, Fargo | "Tangato" quintet for woodwinds, vibraphone, violin and bass |
| 2007 | Russell Peterson | "Sonata for Piano" |
| 2008 | Troy Nies | "The Best Laid Plans..." Inspired by the writings of John Steinbeck for oboe, Bb clarinet, bassoon and piano |
| 2009 | none | |
| 2010 | Adam Hochhalter | "Adagio" for piano |
| 2011 | Dr. Alan Carter | "Musical Settings of Poems by Shel Silverstein" |
| 2012 | Mary Leaf Schneider | "A'Cuimhneachadh - Remembering" |
| 2013 | Mike Halstenson | "everything was as it should be" |
| 2014 | Tom Gerou | "Circe Invidiosa: Sonata No. 1 for the Piano" |
| 2014 | Rebecca Raber | "Jesu, dulcis memoria" |
| 2015 | Andrew Miller | "Alleluia" |
| 2016 | Susan Clambey | Suite Trio for Piano, Flute and Cello |
| 2017 | Michael Langer | Delphia: A Portrait in Three Parts for Piano and Tape |
| 2019 | Dr. Nicholaus Meyers | "A Brief Story" for Trumpet and Marimba |
Member Programs
The NDMTA thanks Schmitt Music, Popplers, and JW Pepper for their support of the NDMTA website.
