Mission Statement: The WSMTA Commissioned Composer of the Year (CCOY) is the Washington State segments of the MTNA Composer Commissioning Program. 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. A newly commissioned work receives its premiere performance at the convention of the State MTA, which is then submitted to a panel of recognized composers for selection of the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year.
Miguel del Aguila, our 2026 Commissioned Composer of the Year will premiere his commissioned work at our conference in June. You can learn more about him at: www.migueldelaguila.com.
Miguel resides in Seattle. His commissioned work will be for piano, titled Invisible Variations, and will be performed by Dr. Lark Powers of Pacific Lutheran University.
Miguel describes his piece as: “a set of didactic, progressive variations which can be performed individually by beginners and intermediate pianists; and as a whole set large work by advanced players.”
As a further introduction of Miguel, The following is taken from his website:
“I strive to write music that is sincere and that stirs intense emotions in the performer and the listener. Music that expresses my humanity, my times, my geography and my Latin heritage. Often rhythmically driven and virtuosic, I’m always concerned with its dramatic effectiveness. I don’t think in terms of trends or current styles of composition. The story that my music is telling determines its sound and form.”
Here are some of Miguel’s reviews:
“dependably brilliant” – The New Yorker Magazine
“sonically dazzling” – Los Angeles Times
“disarmingly genial” – San Francisco Sentinel
“expressive and dramatic” – American Record Guide
“with near to obsessive vitality” – Wiener Zeitung, Vienna
We look forward to hearing his piece at the WSMTA Conference in June 2026. Thank you, Miguel, for accepting the WSMTA 2026 Commissioned Composer of the Year.
Invisible Variations – for solo piano, Op. 140 (13:50)
(Variaciones Invisibles)
Commissioned by the WSMTA Composer of the Year Project 2025 and dedicated to pianist Lark Powers, this work unfolds as a set of theme‑and‑variations. Its theme—borrowed from my earlier piece Invisibles—is never stated outright; instead, each variation hints at it, gradually revealing fragments until it finally emerges in full darkness and drama in Variation IX.
The psychological arc resembles a conversation in which the true subject is avoided, concealed, and only partially disclosed until the moment of revelation. Once the theme appears, the music shifts character, opening into an almost romantic surge of emotion. The drama intensifies, then dissolves, fading away without resolution.
The eleven variations also serve a didactic purpose: they progress in order of difficulty and may be performed independently. As a whole, Invisible Variations begins with a light, impressionistic tone and moves through Latin jazz, tango, and Baroque‑inspired gestures, evolving toward a dramatic conclusion. The piece forms a single, organic movement.
Premiere: 2026 by Lark Powers.
Dr. Lark Powers received a DMA in piano performance from the University of Colorado Boulder, and holds three Master’s degrees and a graduate performance diploma in piano from the Peabody Institute. Her undergraduate studies occurred at the University of the Pacific, after which she attended the Conservatoire National de Région de Paris. Her studies include a degree in harpsichord, so she is able to bring a unique perspective to her students in their study of the Baroque repertoire.
In demand as a solo and collaborative artist as well as an adjudicator and presenter, Lark has performed at such venues as Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, the 92nd Street Y in New York City and at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Internationally she has been heard in Europe, Mexico and Canada, including performances at the International Festival of Spanish Keyboard Music in Spain, the Simón Bolívar Amphitheater in Mexico City, and the Bibliothèque de Dinan in France. In addition to numerous collaborations with ensembles, she appears in frequent two-piano concerts as part of the duo she forms with pianist Ricardo de la Torre.
GENERAL INFORMATION about the CCOY Project.
The project is generated from MTNA and is open to the state MTNA chapters throughout the U.S. See the description above for a description of the purpose of the project. The CCOY presents an original composition at the state’s conference, and that composition is then forwarded to MTNA for the determination of a national selection, which is then performed at the MTNA conference. The fee paid to the CCOY is jointly funded by MTNA and the commissioning state. There is a contract generated by MTNA that hires each State’s CCOY. The rules and regulations are generated by MTNA with additional stipulations by each State.
MTNA highly recommends the State CCOY’s be of professional level and write the commissioned work for professional level performers. The State CCOY’s vie for the MTNA national commissioned composer, termed the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the year, and a higher commission is paid solely by MTNA. Each state determines the procedure for selecting a CCOY. As a reflection of talented Washington composers who will represent our state, WSMTA (guided by member surveys) has opted to follow the guidelines set forth by MTNA. A CCOY WSMTA committee selects the CCOY from referrals provided to them.
To recommend a composer for future WSMTA CCOY (or for further questions), please contact the project chair: Louise Nedela, NCTM, [email protected].
