Learning Lab
Each season, ACO presents a series of digital professional development sessions led by composer mentors and industry leaders. An evolving resource for composers at all stages of their careers, sessions have covered topics including orchestration, networking, publishing, copyright, orchestra unions, media rights, fundraising, public speaking, educational program design, and more.
Away from the Writing Desk and Into the World: Creating Relationships with Orchestras
Featured Speakers: Curtis Stewart and David Ludwig
For most composers, developing and maintaining relationships with orchestras is a key factor toward first and repeat performances. ACO Artistic Director Curtis Stewart will lead a discussion on the “how to’s” of making initial and repeat connections with orchestra administration and staff.
“Beyond Bars” Creating ‘Non-Traditional’ Scores and Parts
Featured Speakers: Curtis Stewart and Jannina Norpoth
While creating and providing standard orchestral scores and parts to orchestras is a key component of being a broadly-performed composer, more ensembles are exploring the world of graphic and improvised scores. ACO Artistic Director Curtis Stewart will dialogue with Jannina Norpoth on how to successfully traverse this growing corner of new music.
Shoot Your (Ear)Shot: Stories and Guidance on Applying to EarShot Readings
Featured Speakers: Amy Nam and Ahmed Al Abaca
EarShot Readings are the first systemic program connecting composers with orchestras, providing the unique opportunity to rehearse and interact with large ensembles in a way that many composers never have. This webinar, featuring two previous EarShot Readings participants, will offer insights on the application process and outcomes of this program.
Orchestration Webinar: Tricks of the Trade with Melinda Wagner
Featured Speaker: Melinda Wagner
Celebrated as an “…eloquent, poetic voice in contemporary music…” [American Record Guide], Melinda Wagner’s esteemed catalog of works embodies music of exceptional beauty, power, and intelligence. She joins ACO to take musical works from the “canon” and use them as a guide for emerging composers to understand some of the important things to know about orchestration, part writing, and more. This session is inspired by composer Steven R. Gerber’s NewMusicBox article “Orchestration: Composers Reveal Tricks of the Trade.”
Additional Resources
Media Rights & Unions Workshop: Fine Print
Featured Speakers: Alecia Lawyer and Corey Field
Named by Musical America as one of classical music’s Top 30 Influencers for 2015 and a Lorée oboe artist in 2019, Texas native, Alecia Lawyer, is the Founder, Artistic Director, and Principal Oboist of ROCO, a professional music ensemble that flexes from 1 to 40 musicians from around the US and Canada, including guest conductors from around the world. Corey Field is a professionally trained composer who is better known as a prominent entertainment, media, and copyright attorney at his Los Angeles based law firm Corey Field Law Group, P.C. They bring their multifaceted expertise to this webinar to highlight the importance of understanding and abiding by current regulations related to unions, media rights, and more.