ATSSB began commissioning works for small school bands in 1994. When the band was split into two bands in 1997, the commissioned work was performed by the Concert Band. When the ATSSB Composition Competition began in 2010, the Concert Band performed the winning composition. In 2017, it was decided that the Symphonic Band would perform the commissioned works in odd years and the Concert Band would perform the winner of the Composition Competition in even years.
The Composition Competition was discontinued after the 2020 competition. ATSSB will commission composers to write a Grade 2+ piece or concert march for the Concert Band for even years (continuing the practice of commissioning a Grade 3+ piece for the Symphonic Band in odd years). The purpose of this policy is to promulgate quality Grade 2 pieces for young bands or small-school ensembles.
ATSSB All-State Band Commissioned Works and Composition Competition Winners
1994: Eldorado by Spears (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
1995: Lone Star Celebration by Curnow (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
1996: Elegy for Selena by Foster (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
1997: Romanza Semplice by Fred Allen (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
1998: Overture to a New Millineum – Ed Huckeby (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
1999: Yorkshire Fantasy – John O’Reilly (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
2000: Riding With the Frontier Battalion – David Holsinger (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2001: Hill Country Holiday – Robert Sheldon (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
2002: The Star of Dreams – Robert W. Smith (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
2003: A Solemn Prelude – James Barnes (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
2004: Fortress Variants – Elliot Del Borgo (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
2005: Exhilaration – Fred J. Allen (commissioned by ATSSB for this performance)
2006: From Anahuac to San Jacinto – by Gabe Musella (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2007: On the Overland Stage to El Paso by David Holsinger (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2008: Choreography – Robert Sheldon (Commissioned by ATSSB)
2009: Towards the Western Horizon – Philip Sparke (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2010: Paramount Park – Eric Rath (winner of the 2010 ATSSB Composition Competition)
2011: Kitty Hawk, 1903 – William Owens (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2012: Egypt, the Awakening – Billy Newman (ATSSB Composition Competition Winner)
2013: Insuperable! (Second to None) – William Owens (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2014: And Sail Away – Jack Wilds (ATSSB Composition Competition Winner)
2015: Imaginarium by Randall Standridge (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2016: Where Morning Dawns, Where Evening Fades – Eric Rath (winner of the 2016 ATSSB Composition Competition)
Resolution – Kenneth L. Griffin (commissioned by ATSSB to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of ATSSB)
2017: Armenian Rhapsody – Johnnie Vinson (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2018: Chicago Belle Motifs – Kenneth L. Griffin (Winner of the 2018 ATSSB Composition Competition)
2019: Springerle – Jack Stamp (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2020: Scherzito, after Gustav Holst – Christopher Lowry (winner of the 2020 AATSSB Composition Competition)
2021: Breaking Through – Brian Balmages (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2022: Rising – Clif Jones (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2022: The Essence of Memory – BJ Brooks (commissioned by ATSSB in memory of Darin K. Johns)
2023: ConnectUS – Carol Brittin Chambers (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2023: Oolagoob – Steve Owen (commissioned by ATSSB for the Jazz Ensemble)
2024: To Sail the Majestic Seas – William Owens (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2024: Soltice Samba – Aaron Lington (commissioned by ATSSB for the Jazz Ensemble)
2025: Tachyon – Julie Giroux (commissioned by ATSSB for this premier performance)
2025: Plays Sing, Sings Play!! – Ron Wilkins (commissioned by ATSSB for the Jazz Ensemble)