A requirement for a commission from AMMA is that the composer grants permission for a limited number (approx.10-15) copies of the work to be freely distributed. This allows us to distribute the work to selected orchestras/performers in Australia and overseas which ensures the music is performed.

If you are a performer, or represent a mandolin orchestra, and would be interested in premiering or performing one of the commissions in your country, please email: info@mandolinmusic.com.au  
 

Latest News

Commissions for 2008

Robert Schulz has agreed to write a new work for mandolin orchestra for completion sometime in 2009. Whereas Robert's first AMMA  commission was a longer piece suited to a larger "festival style" orchestra, this will be suited to the more traditional mandolin orchestra structure.

John Peterson has accepted a commission for a work for mandolin orchestra. This will be John's second work for mandolin orchestra with his first, "Under Sydney Skies", premiered at the Sydney FAME music camp in January this year. John's first work showed that he is an excellent composer who can write well for mandolin orchestra. The new work is due for completion end-February 2009.

Commissions for 2007

Ann Carr-Boyd's "Suite for Solo Mandolin" has now been published.  The work was premiered on 25th March in Muecke, Germany by Stephanie Rauch. 
                 UPDATE - Ann is going to arrange "Rag for Razz" (one of the suite) for mandolin orchestra !!

Betty Beath's "Though I travel far ... I do not forget" for mandolin orchestra was completed in March 2008 and was premiered in Japan on 1st November 2008 by the Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra.

Commissions for 2006  

Richard Charlton's "The Adventures of the Duyfken" for mandolin orchestra was completed in June 2007 and was premiered in The Netherlands on 3rd November 2007 by the ONI Mandolin Orchestra.

Robert Schulz's "A Symphony of Seasons" for Mandolin Orchestra, Oboe, Timpani and Percussion - was completed January 2007 and premiered in Japan on 18 November 2007 by the Takarazuka Mandolin Guitar Orchestra. Robert was invited to Japan to conduct the premiere performance which received a wonderful reception from a full house.

Click on the "Commissioned Works" tab above to see full details about each commission 

Why we do this........

It is our experience that only a few composers in Australia write for mandolin, and often their output is sporadic (with some exceptions). Commissioning of works from professional composers is often limited by the difficulty faced in obtaining scarce funds from government arts organisations. Sometimes a successful first commission with a composer new to the mandolin is never followed up with a second, and an opportunity is lost. In addition, there has been a very limited history of private commissioning or sponsorship in Australia.

The purpose of the AMMA is to help rectify this situation by providing funding for commissioning 2-3 works per year for mandolin orchestra, or mandolin related ensembles/instruments. In this manner, AMMA hopes to make a meaningful contribution to the pool of music available to mandolin players worldwide and to play a part in the development of composers for mandolin, particularly within Australia.

In promoting the performance of this music internationally through limited free distribution, the composer is immediately given wide exposure and, if their work is well received, may gain recognition more quickly than would otherwise be the case.

Works written for mandolin by Australian composers have been performed and recorded internationally. It is clear that there is a real opportunity for Australian composers to write for the mandolin, and for those works to be widely performed.