Friends of Today’s Music commissions new works specifically for young musicians, sponsored by donations through the MTAC Foundation. Established in 1986 by Dr. Bob Bennett, the project has supported the creation and publication of new works by leading composers of our time. Each commissioned work is premiered by young musicians during the MTAC State Convention while the audience follows along with the published score. This program provides students the unique opportunity to collaborate with the composer of the piece, and demonstrates the importance of playing music not only from the past but also music being created by today’s composers.

Friends of Today's Music Commissioned Composer
Justin Levitt

Justin Levitt has composed a work for a Solo Piano.  

Join us on July 2025 during the MTAC Convention for the World Premiere.

Justin Levitt is an award-winning pianist and composer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With an extensive body of work, he has composed hundreds of pieces and published ten volumes of piano solos. His achievements include seven Music Teachers' Association of California® (MTAC) state competition awards, a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York, and composing symphonies and music for the Diablo Ballet, featured both on stage and in short films. He is a Gold Telly Award winner for best music and has released Bootleg the Movie, a film showcasing four-hand piano improvisations.

Justin's work has been recognized internationally, with compositions published in the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) syllabus and two piano duets published by FJH Music. Recently, he was honored as the highlighted composer on TopMusic, where his works continue to inspire piano teachers and students alike. Justin finds joy in his life through his amazing friends and family, who are his greatest source of inspiration and support. He is truly grateful for the gifts he has been given and strives every day to share them with the world. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he has balanced a full-time role as Manager of Steinway & Sons in Walnut Creek.

Friends of Today’s Music Commissioned Works are made possible through the generous support of the Aaron Copland Fund, the Beyster Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation, and individual donations. Anonymous, individual, and MTAC member contributions are accepted throughout the year. To donate, please visit the MTAC Foundation page.

For more information or questions, please contact us.

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    Year

    Composer

    Title

    Publisher

    2024

    James Matheson

    Blue Blaze
    For Piano Trio (Piano, Cello, Violin)

    Theodore Presser Company

    2023

    Courtney Bryan

    Balm For Solo Piano

    Courtney Bryan

    2022

    Reena Esmail

    Dhire-Dhire
    For Piano, Violin, Cello, and Vocal quartet

    A Piece of Sky Music

    2020/2021

    Augusta Read Thomas

    The Beads of Sunlight
    For Flute, Clarinet, Violin & Viola (or Cello)

    Augusta Read Thomas

    2019

    Daniel Felsenfeld

    Hue & Cry
    For Solo Piano

    BCP Music

    2018

    Bruce Stark

    Three Dances
    For Flute, Violin, and Piano Trio

    Belle-Kane Publishing

    2017

    Lei Liang

    Tree Rings
    For One Piano, Four Hands

    Schott

    2016

    Michael Daugherty

    The Old Man and the Sea
    For Violin, Cello, and Piano

    Peermusic Classical/Boosey and Hawkes
    and Michael Daugherty Music

    2015

    Joan Tower

    Sixth Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
    For Solo Piano

    AMP/G. Schirmer Rental Library

    2014

    Derek Bermel

    Four Homages for Piano
    For Piano

    Peermusic Classical

    2013

    Katrina Wreede

    I-5
    For Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano

    Vlazville Publishing

    2012

    David Amram

    Cancion de Verano
    For Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano

    C.F. Peters Corporation

    2011

    Robert Aldridge

    Three Waltzes
    For Piano

    C.F. Peters Corporation

    2010

    David Rakowski

    Étude-Fantasies
    For Piano Four Hands

    C.F. Peters Corporation

    2009

    Chen Yi

    From Old Peking Folklore
    For Violin and Piano

    Theodore Presser

    2008

    Paul Chihara

    Fantasy
    Trio for Flute (Violin), Cello and Piano

    C.F. Peters Corporation

    2007

    Gabriela Lena Frank

    Danza de los Saqsampillos
    For Two Pianos

    G. Schirmer

    2006

    William Bolcom

    *Nine New Bagatelles
    For Piano

    E. B. Marks Music, Hal Leonard

    2005

    Libby Larsen

    PentaMetrics
    For Piano

    Oxford University Press

    2004

    Steven Stucky

    *Meditation and Dance
    For Clarinet and Piano

    Theodore Presser

    2003

    Judith Lang Zaimont

    In My Lunchbox
    For Piano (intermediate)

    Vivace Press

    2002

    Melissa Hui

    *and blue sparks burn
    For Violin and Piano

    Available through MTAC

    2001

    Robert Maggio

    Dreams from Childhood
    Piano Duet (intermediate)

    Theodore Presser

    2000

    Bruce Adolphe

    Well, It’s Not exactly Beethoven
    For Piano

    PollyRhythm Productions

    1999

    Martin Rokeach

    *can’t wait
    Violin ( flute) Clarinet & Piano

    Roncorp Publications

    1998

    Vivian Fung

    Scherzo
    Violin, Cello & Piano

    Available through MTAC

    1997

    Samuel Adler

    *Concerto No. 2
    For Piano & Orchestra

    Theodore Presser

    1996

    Samuel Zyman

    Two Motions in One Movement
    For Piano

    Theodore Presser

    1995

    Seymour Bernstein

    Fantasy on a Theme by Francisco
    For Piano

    G. Schirmer

    1994

    Stephen Hartke

    The Piano Dreams of Empire
    For Piano

    MMB Music, Inc.

    1993

    Donald Waxman

    Arabesques and Ostinato
    For Two Pianos

    Galaxy Music Corp. (ECS)

    1992

    Emma Lou Diemer

    Three Piano Pieces

    Plymouth Music/Elkin Music

    1991

    Gunther Schuller

    Music For Young People
    Flute and Piano Trio

    AMP/Schirmer

    1990

    David Ott

    *Sinfonia for Cello and Piano

    Park Music Press

    1989

    Samuel Adler

    *The Road to Terpsichore
    For Piano

    G. Schirmer

    1988

    William Albright

    *The Machine Age
    For Piano

    C.F. Peters Corporation

    1987

    Leslie Bassett

    *Configurations
    For Piano

    C.F. Peters Corporation

    1986

    Richard Felciano

    Five Short Piano Pieces

    Available through MTAC