Commissioned Composers
To encourage new works by American composers, the NDMTA with support of the MTNA participates in the Commissioned Composer Program by commissioning a composer to write a work to be premiered at the NDMTA Conference.
2025 Commissioned Composer
Efraín Amaya
2025 NDMTA Commissioned Composer: Efraín Amaya, American conductor and composer, was born in Venezuela where he bagan his musical training. Continuing his study in the US, he earned two Bachelor's of Music degrees in composition and piano from Indiana University, and a Master's degree in orchestral conducting from Rice University.
Amaya's compositions have been selected for performance at major international festivals in Seattle, San Juan, Mexico City, Caracas, Venezuela,Carnegie Mellon University, Juilliard School in New York as well as in Boston and more. The extensive list of performances, both national and internationl and Amaya's extensive résumé can be found on his website, www.efrainamaya.com
Efraín Amaya has released numerous recordings and has been the recipient of many fellowships and grants. His compositions explore numerous instrumentations as well as opera.
Mr. Amaya is on the faculty at Minot State University as well as Western Plains Opera General Co-Director (2017-present) and the Music Director for the Minot Symphony Orchestra since the 2015-16 Season.
Amaya's commissioned composition will be premiered 7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 4th at Minot State University Hartnett Recital Hall.
Details
The MTNA Commissioned Composer program seeks 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 commissions a composer to write a work which receives its premiere performance at the NDMTA Conference. The composition is submitted to the MTNA for consideration for the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year. The selected composer/composition is presented in performance at the MTNA Conference and receives a $5,000 award.
Information about how to become a Commissioned Composer is available at:
Past 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's 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) for piano & 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, tenor, and soprano |
| 2001 | Herb Parker, Williston | "I Will Sing Praise to the Lord on High" for SATB choir a cappella |
| 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 |
| 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 Euphonium and Marimba |
| 2020 | Sean Neukom | “19-20 for String Quartet (2020): Screens, Masks, Deception, Ashes” |
| 2022 | Christopher Gable | “Suite of Uncommon Dances”: Streetlight Sarabande, Awkward Middle School Slow Dance, Samba” |
| 2023 | Lisa Bost-Sandberg | Dovetail for solo piano (2023) |
| 2024 | Isaac Lovdahl | “i am a little church” for Tenor Voice & Piano |