The Australian Mandolin Music Association Inc. was established in 2006 to be a private source of funding for the commissioning of mandolin music and for the promotion of that music within Australia and internationally.

The aim is to commission 2-3 works per year for mandolin orchestra, or mandolin related ensembles/instruments and, over time, establish a body of music for present and future generations to enjoy. This web site provides information on the commissioned music, and provides a link to the composers' web sites. Each composer is a professional musician who will have a wealth of music worthy of your exploration.

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 and helps to promote the composer.

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  

AMMA operates using privately gifted funds, and contributions are most welcome. Deposits may be placed into the following Australian bank account:

Latest News

Commissions for 2009

Iain Grandage has accepted a commission to write a work for mandolin orchestra for completion by end 2010. Iain's work with the Youth Orchestra of Australia, the WA Symphony Orchestra and many musicals leads us to be very excited about what he can create for his first mandolin orchestra work. Iain went to universtity with classical guitarist Craig Ogden and has written for Craig and the Brodsky quartet. Depending on Iain's workload, this commission may be completed in 2009, otherwise sometime in 2010.

TBA. A second commission for 2009 has been awarded and will be announced at the Federation of Australasian Mandolin Ensemble's festival in July in Brisbane. It will be a work which will be eagerly awaited by all!

Commissions for 2008

Robert Schulz's "Dance Pieces 3 & 4" for mandolin orchestra was completed in March 2009. The work is a sequel to Robert's highly successful "Dance Pieces 1 & 2" written in 1978 and widely performed and recorded.

John Peterson's "Illawarra Dances" for mandolin orchestra was completed in March 2009. This is John's second work for mandolin orchestra with his first, "Under Sydney Skies", premiered at the Sydney FAME music camp in January this year.

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 and will be performed again by Sue Flower on 9th July 2009 at the FAME festival in Brisbane. 
UPDATE - Ann is going to arrange "Rag for Razz" (one of the suite) for mandolin orchestra !!  
Ann arranged a piano version of "Rag for Razz" which has been recorded and was broadcast on ABC Classic FM national radio on 31 January 2009.

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 from 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 a private source of funding for commissioning 2-3 works per year for mandolin orchestra, or mandolin related ensembles/instruments. The funding for the commissions is donated by a small group of mandolin orchestra members from around Australia who can afford to do so and who want to give something back to the movement. 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.

A key feature of the AMMA is that it promotes the performance of this music internationally through limited free distribution (as per written agreement with the composer). 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. The success of this depends on AMMA composers producing quality music that will be well received by orchestras, otherwise the music will not get performed and the reputation of AMMA commissioned music will suffer. It is therefore the policy of AMMA to commission music from proven composers. These composers may not necessarily have written for mandolin orchestra before, although it is desirable.

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.

Postscript 21 April 2009: 

Having commissioned seven works so far I have learnt so much in my dealings with composers, and I would like to share the following observations:

1. There is so little funding available for composers in Australia that I have been overwhelmed by the response from composers to the AMMA. The little funding available from the government generally is distributed to a small elite group of composers so that many wonderful composers get nothing.

2. Composers love to be asked to write music. They love having a reason to write music. Mandolin orchestras should not be reserved in asking composers to write for them.

3. AMMA offers composers the opportunity for performance and recognition - something that has great value to a composer. If your orchestra works with a composer, ask them how you can help them - they may be more that happy for you to distribute their music for free in order to achieve greater recognition. I feel we have an obligation to assist and promote composers who write well for mandolin.

4. For too long there has been limited liason between composers and mandolin orchestras. Orchestras have been reluctant to ask composers because they can't afford to pay, and composers are reluctant to push their own music. We need to get over these reservations, start talking, and look for ways to help each other. For a composer, having a commission on their CV can be worth much more than money. Mandolin orchestras need to start taking the initiative!

Food for thought.