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.

Beyond Bars: Creating ‘Non-Traditional’ Scores and Parts

February 4, 2025
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Staff Moderator: Loki Karuna

Featured Speaker: inti figgis-vizueta

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 Director of Artist Equity Loki Karuna will dialogue with composer inti figgis-vizueta on how to successfully traverse this growing corner of new music.

Composing the Future: Composers and Music Education

January 28, 2025
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Staff Moderator: JL Marlor

Featured Speaker: Leila Pertl

New music isn't just for adults- a growing population of K-12 students is also taking a deep dive into creative collaborations with contemporary composers! Leila Pertl, Instructor of Music Education at Lawrence University & Music Education Curator for the Mile of Music, will join ACO Education Coordinator JL Marlor to offer insights on what a successful collaboration between composers and schools looks like. This, the first of a series, will focus on middle and high school ensembles.

Tricks of the Trade: Orchestration Workshop

January 15, 2025
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Staff Moderator: Loki Karuna

Featured Speaker: Curtis Stewart

Curtis Stewart has made a name for himself taking works from the past and re-envisioning them for contemporary relevance. In this session, Curtis will take musical works from the “canon” and use them as a guide to highlight key aspects of orchestration, part writing, and more.

Composing the Future: Engaging Schools and Students as a Composer

April 24, 2024
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Featuring Speakers: Charlie Ortiz and Melissa Ngan


New music isn't just for adults - a growing population of grade school students are also pushing the boundaries of music creation. Charlie Ortiz, Executive Director of WHIN Music Community Charter School, will join Melissa Ngan to offer insights on successful collaboration between composers, teachers, and students.

Tricks of the Trade: Orchestration Workshop

April 8, 2024
Additional resources
Transcript
Transcript coming soon!

Featuring Speakers: Curtis Stewart and Loki Karuna

Dive into the world of orchestration with ACO Artistic Director Curtis Stewart in the webinar, "Tricks of the Trade: Orchestration Workshop." Explore key aspects of orchestration, part writing, and more as Curtis guides you through the musical canon and shares how he breathes new life into classical works, for today's audiences.This annual session, made possible by the Steven R. Gerber Trust, is inspired by Steven's insightful "Tricks of the Trade" article. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your musical skills!