Call for Nominations

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Dear Colleagues,

I'm writing to ask for your assistance identifying and nominating Ohio composers who may be deserving of our annual Ohio Music Teachers Association (Ohio MTA) Commissioned Composer of the Year Award. I’ve included easily forwardable information below to share. I hope you will consider making a nomination yourself or sending this information to others who may have close contact with Ohio composers.

If you are not a member, please consider joining the organization (https://ohiomta.org), which is a state division of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA: https://www.mtna.org/). Membership provides you with numerous benefits including discounts and resources, educational opportunities including workshops and seminars, professional development opportunities including the MTNA professional certification program, and professional support services such as insurance and legal consultation for private practices and grants.

If the cost of joining MTA is prohibitive, please contact me. It is likely that one of our members knows you or your student and can place the nomination. You can also search for publicly listed members at individual Ohio district websites (https://ohiomta.org/districts).

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

COMMISSIONING INFORMATION:

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. 

Composers are nominated and then asked to submit materials for review. Upon selection, the State Competition's winning composer is contracted for a newly commissioned work to receive its premiere performance at the convention of the Ohio MTA. Commissioned works are also subsequently submitted to the national commission committee for consideration in the MTNA Distinguished Composer competition (past national winners can be found here: https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/Engage/Commissioned_Composer/Distinguished_Composer_of_the_Year/MTNA/Engage/Commissioned_Composer/Distinguished_Composer_of_the_Year_Award.aspx)

Nominees are solicited from the membership; a member or local association may nominate a composer, or a composer (OhioMTA) member may nominate themselves. The composer does not need to be an OhioMTA member, only the nominator does. Members may nominate as many composers as they wish. 

There are no stylistic restrictions, but do note that submissions for consideration require a score and recording. 

1. The nominated composer must be a resident of, or student in, the state of Ohio and at least 18 years old.

2. Once nominated (see form template below), the composer will receive a request for materials.

2. Nominees must submit a recent resume/curriculum vitae, 2-3 different scores and recordings to the state Commissioning Composer chair.


3. Submitting scores in PDF format and electronic files (MP3) or links to online recordings by email is preferred. 

4. 
Note: if electronic files/PDFs are not available, CDs and hardcopies of scores may be mailed.

All Ohio state nominations must be received by the deadline in order to be considered: October 30th, 2026

Timetable

• October 30th, 2026 - Deadline for nominations

• November 20th, 2026 – Deadline for material submission by the nominees

• January 5, 2027 – Recommendation made to Executive Committee


• January Meeting – Decision made by Executive Committee


• September 1, 2027 – Deadline for completion and submission of commissioned work


• October/November 2027 – Premiere performance of commissioned work (OhioMTA State Conference)


Please bear with us as we update the Ohio Competition website, which will shortly provide more information: https://ohiomta.org/proposal-submission. To learn more about the National Distinguished Composer competition, please visit here: https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/Engage/Commissioned_Composer/MTNA/Engage/Commissioned_Composer/Commissioned_Composer.aspx

State nominations should be sent to me, the OhioMTA Commissioned Composer Chair, Hanna Hurwitz <hurwitzh@denison.edu>. Note that all nominations must be submitted on or before October 30th, 2026 so that we may request materials from nominated composers with ample time. 

Nominating is easy! Just send the following information: 

-If you have just joined, please let me know that you have recently applied for membership

Email subject: Ohio OMTA Commissioning Composer Nomination

Hello,

My name is ______________. I am an Ohio MTA member of the _______ district.

I wish to nominate _____________ for the Ohio Commissioned Composer of the Year. Their email is: __________.

Your Name

Your Email

Thank you in advance and I look forward to receiving your nominations! 

Sincerely,

Hanna Hurwitz 

OhioMTA Commissioned Composer Chair