OMTA Composer of the Year

OMTA and MTNA are dedicated to encouraging the creation of new works by American composers.

The OMTA Composer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding talent in Oregon. The honoree will receive a commission for a new work. The commissioned work must be performed and recorded within a year.

The OMTA Composer of the Year and his or her newly commissioned piece will be entered in the competition for the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year Award.

Previous OMTA Composers of the Year are ineligible to apply.

Contact the chair, Lisa Marsh, for more information.

Apply Online

Honorees and their Commissioned Works

2022
Dr. Andrea Reinkemeyer

Letter to a Friend

1. In Winter — words by Megan Levad
2. Letter to a friend on the return of spring — words by D. Allen

Soprano, Horn in F, and Piano

2020
Nicholas Yandell
A Quiet Place in the Rain
cello and harp

2019
David S. Bernstein
Suite of the Earth

I. Thunder After the Rainbow
II. Yelling Waterfalls
III. A Blossom Sings
IV. Catch the Wind

flutes, piano, percussion

2018
Lisa Marsh
Triptych

I. The Wave
II. Horseshoe Canyon
III. Orkney

flute, cello, percussion

2017
Dr. Alexander Schwarzkopf
PSi (2017)
piano, flute, clarinet, french horn, violin, viola, cello

2016
Michael Johanson
Three Moods for
viola and piano

2015
Art Resnick
Images of a Trip
violin, cello, piano

2014
Paul Safar
The Warbler Sings
soprano, piano, trumpet (doubling flugelhorn), double bass

2013
Greg Steinke
Random Blackouts II
baritone voice, piano four hands

2012
Jack Gable
Diameters
various instruments

2011
Bonnie Miksch
Like Water, Like Sound, Like Breath
violin, cello and piano

2010
Daniel Brugh
Sonata Concrete
piano and elleno-acoustic instruments

2009
Esther Megargel
Seven Dances of Earth
mixed ensemble

2006
Terry McQuilkin
Legacies
piano four hands

2005
Dr. John McKinnon
Songs of Interior Oregon
voice and piano

2002
Victor Steinhardt
Five Piano Pieces
piano solo

2000
Dr. David Deason
Sugar Beet Suite
two pianos

1999
Dr. Gary Noland
Collage
clarinet, alto sax, French horn, 2 violas, cello and 6 pianos

1997
Beatrice A. Miller
Concerto No. 1 in A minor
piano

1996
James R. Day
Songs from the Heart of the Artist
with small orchestra

1994
Janet R. Mittelstaedt
Journey Through A Shadow
flute and piano

1992
Tomas Svoboda
Summer Fragments on Poetry of John Haek
soprano and piano

1990
Dr. Walter B. Saul II
Cry of the Untouchables
sonata

1984
Arletta J. O’Hearn
Three Piano Preludes in Jazz Stylings
jazz piano

1982
Francis W. Bittner
Pedal Paintings II & From Me To You
two sets of solo piano pieces

1980
Elinore Coogan
Scenes of Portland
two-piano suitee

1978
Dr. A. Laurence Lyon
Journeys
piano quartet with violin, viola and cello

1976
Eva S. Noda
unknown
unknown

1974
Sr. Anne Cecile Dangle
unknown
unknown

1972
Homer Keller
Etudes for Piano
piano

1970
Robert Stoltz
Piano Sonata
piano