Seattle Music Teachers Association launched The Marsha Wright Commissioned Sonatina Award as a means to support student and teacher composers, and encourage composition of new sonatinas. The award alternates between WSMTA teachers in odd-numbered years, and student composers in even-numbered years. This season we will choose an original composition from a student (age 18 or under) of a WSMTA member. The award is $750.

We are looking for an early-intermediate level sonatina, for solo or combination of instruments. A nod to traditional sonata-allegro form is welcome but not necessary; any brief work in several movements will qualify as a sonatina.

Deadline for submission of a complete sonatina composition is December 1, 2023. The winner will be announced January 1, 2024.
Send the following by December 1, 2023 to smtaoffice@gmail.com:

• A brief email stating your full name, age, email,
  phone number, and the name of your teacher.
  The teacher must be a member of WSMTA.
  Please put “Sonatina Festival commission
  submission” in the subject line.
• A PDF file of your original composition, with no
  identifying information in the document itself.
  (Compositions will be renamed by random
  number assignment in order to ensure
  anonymity before being reviewed.)
• MP3 or WAV audio file.

The new sonatina will be premiered at The Marsha Wright Sonatina Festival in April, 2024. The composer may be asked to perform part or all of their piece, or provide someone else to perform it.

Suggestions/guidelines for an early-intermediate level piece: Have a friend who plays the instrument try your composition before you submit it. Flute players need to breathe, violin players use bowing to shape the phrase.
Limit the key signature to 1 or 2 sharps or flats.
Meters: compound time such as 6/8 is OK.
Piano: compare to a Clementi sonatina
Violin/Viola: compare to Suzuki Volume 3
First and Third positions; Pitch range: Violin – low G (open G) to
the D 2.5 octaves above that. Viola – same only a fifth lower.
Flute: Compare to ABRSM Grade 5 or below
Pitch range: low D below staff to high F above staff (just over 2
octave range). Flute is softer in the low register, and louder in the
high register.

The award is named in honor of the Sonatina Festival’s founder and is supported by a generous gift from Dorothy Woodcock.

Contact: Mariya Lincoln
SMTA Administrative Coordinator
smtaoffice@gmail.com