Featured Speakers: Curtis Stewart (ACO Artistic Director) and Jannina Norpoth (Violinist)

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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.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

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Featured Speakers: Curtis Stewart and David Ludwig

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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. 

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Featured Speaker: Curtis Stewart (ACO Artistic Director)

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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.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Featuring Speakers: Melissa Ngan and Deirdre Chadwick

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Understanding media rights, broadcast regulations, and payments is a vital part of making a living as a composer. BMI’s Deirdre Chadwick will lead a dialogue built to demystify some of the fine print that composers face as their careers reach larger scale. 

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Event Details

January 25, 2024

“Birth of a Culture”

Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert

Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Thirty orchestras will take part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

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. Selected composers are previous participants in ACO's EarShot Readings.

Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Featured Speakers: Tito Muñoz and Adam Schoenberg

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Receiving a performance by an orchestra isn’t the end of the road for a composer, but the beginning of an ongoing relationship. This webinar will offer rehearsal techniques to composers, and will speak to how they should engage conductors, orchestras, and its musicians throughout the rehearsal process.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Event Details

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February 7–8, 2024

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“Pouliot & Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto& Shelley conducts Scheherazade”

Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert

Gity Razaz, Methuselah (In Chains of Time)

National Arts Centre Orchestra

Thirty orchestras will take part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

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. Selected composers are previous participants in ACO's EarShot Readings.

Methuselah (In Chains of Time) was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

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Featured Speakers: Melissa Ngan and Vanessa Rose

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Being a part of a consortium is not only artistically beneficial to composers, but financially beneficial as well! In this session, Melissa Ngan will unpack some of the need-to-know information surrounding orchestral commissions and the creation of consortia for composers.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Event Details

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February 22–23, 2024

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“Beethoven Violin Concerto”

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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert

Sarah Gibson, to make this mountain taller

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Thirty orchestras will take part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

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. Selected composers are previous participants in ACO's EarShot Readings.‍

to make this mountain taller was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

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Event Details

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March 12, 2024, 7:30pm

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Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall

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Rei Hotoda, conductor

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Chrystal E. Williams, mezzo-soprano

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Felipe Hostins, accordion

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Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha’ Tate, narrator and lead vocal

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AMERICA IN WEIMAR: ON THE MARGINS

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George Antheil: Jazz Symphony 7’

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Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha’  : Lowak Shoppala’ (Clans) (NY premiere) 10–15’

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John Glover (composer)/Kelley Rourke (librettist): Right Now (World Premiere) 15’

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Duke Ellington: “Solitude” and “Sophisticated Lady”, arr. Morton Gould 8’

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Tonia Ko: Breath, Untamed (World Premiere) 15’

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Kurt Weill/Ira Gershwin: “My Ship” from Lady in the Dark 5’

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AMERICA IN WEIMAR: ON THE MARGINS explores American influence on the Weimar period and—conversely—the legacy of Weimar’s embrace of transgression, non-Teutonic identity, and utopian ideals, all of which continually resonate in today’s American art and music.

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Event Details

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March 20–22, 2024

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EarShot Readings: Indiana University

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Bloomington, IN

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Mentor composers:

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TBD

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Conductor:

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Jeffrey Meyer

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Featured Artists and Works:

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TBD

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Event Details

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March 22–24, 2024

Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert

Angel Lam, TBD (World Premiere)

Kansas City Symphony

Thirty orchestras will take part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

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. Selected composers are previous participants in ACO's EarShot Readings.

Angel Lam's new work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Featured Speaker: TBD

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Professional representation has helped countless artists reach the next levels of their careers, but the process of identifying and securing management can be a heavy lift for those who are unfamiliar with how to do so. This session will highlight both the ways in which representation can help orchestral composers continue their professional trajectories, and how composers can gain the attention of management agencies. 

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Event Details

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April 15–16, 2024

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EarShot Readings: Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

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Venue TBD

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Palo Heights, IL

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Ensemble:

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Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

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Mentor Composers:

Jessie Montgomery

James Stephenson

Conductor:

Stilian Kirov

Featured Artists and Works:

TBD

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Featured Speaker: Charlie Ortiz

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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 what a successful collaboration between composers and grade schools looks like. 

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Event Details

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May 16–19, 2024

Kennedy Center, “Randall Goosby plays Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto; Thomas Wilkins conducts Elgar’s Enigma Variations”

Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert

Anna Clyne, This Moment

National Symphony Orchestra

Thirty orchestras will take part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

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. Selected composers are previous participants in ACO's EarShot Readings.

This Moment was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

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Event Details

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May 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2024

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Perelman Arts Center

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An American Soldier  

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On October 3, 2011, Chinese-American Army Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan. Based on his story and the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers, this New York City premiere opera tells the powerful true story of a young soldier from Manhattan’s Chinatown who sought to serve his country, only to find his biggest threat was the very people who swore to protect him.

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Told through the multidimensional music of Huang Ruo (M. Butterfly, Book of Mountains and Seas) with libretto by Tony and Grammy winner David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Soft Power), and directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Cambodian Rock Band, Sweatshop Overlord), An American Soldier is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

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Co-Produced by PAC NYC, Boston Lyric Opera, and American Composers Orchestra.

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The 2024 version was co-commissioned by PAC NYC and Boston Lyric Opera.

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Huang Ruo, composer

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David Henry Hwang, librettist

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Carolyn Kuan, conductor

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Chay Yew, director

Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Performance #1, 3pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Performance #2, 7pm

Thursday, May 16, 2024 – Performance #3, 7pm

Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Performance #4, 8pm

Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Performance #5, 3pm

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Featured Speaker: TBD

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Securing a performance and a professional recording with an orchestra is step one. Step two is understanding the parameters surrounding it all. This webinar will highlight the importance of understanding and abiding by current regulations related to unions, media rights, and more.

This webinar is free, but registration is required.

Event Details

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June 5–7, 2024

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EarShot Readings: ROCO

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Venue TBD (during League of American Orchestras conference)

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Houston, TX

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Ensemble:

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ROCO

Mentor Composers:

Valerie Coleman

Jennifer Higdon

Nina Shekhar

Conductor:

Mei-Ann Chen

Featured Artists and Works:

TBD

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Event Details

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June 13–14, 2024

EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music

New York City, NY

Ensemble:

American Composers Orchestra

Mentor Composers:

TBD

Conductor:

TBD

Featured Artists and Works:

TBD

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Event Details

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June 13–14, 2024

EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra

Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music

New York City, NY

Ensemble:

American Composers Orchestra

Mentor Composers:

TBD

Conductor:

TBD

Featured Artists and Works:

TBD

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