Commissioning Opportunities
The nation's first systemic program for building relationships between orchestras and composers, EarShot now encompasses ACO's full range of composer advancement initiatives. Multiple works are commissioned through EarShot readings and residencies each season by ACO and by partner orchestras nationwide.
In 2022, ACO received an award from the Sphinx Venture Fund to support the commissioning of eight orchestral works by Black and Latine EarShot composers for high school and youth orchestras by 2025.
EarShot Commissions
For more information on EarShot, including details on how to apply, visit the program page here.
Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions Program
Angel Lam
Anna Clyne
Wang Lu
Arlene Sierra
Gity Razaz
Sarah Gibson
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers (formerly the Women Composers Readings and Commissions program) is an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
The program is embedded in EarShot; recipients are selected from women and non-binary composers who have participated in EarShot Readings.
Since its inception in 2014, the Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions Program has commissioned 22 new works. This season, the program expands to commission six composers to write for an unprecedented 30-orchestra consortium between 2022 and 2024.
Score Submissions
We strongly recommend that composers submit their orchestral scores to our open calls for EarShot each season. If you would like to submit a score outside of these calls for consideration, you may do so using this form.
**Please note: we do not have the capacity to review physical scores; we will only accept PDF scores via this form. We will be in touch only if the score is a good fit for an upcoming season.
If you would like to learn more about how to introduce yourself and your work to orchestras and other potential collaborators, we encourage you to watch the following digital professional development sessions:
Creating a Meaningful Relationship
Orchestra Programming