Performances
& Events
June 1, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Gity Razaz, Methuselah (In Chains of Time)
Berkeley Symphony
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
In Chains of Time was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
June 1, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Gity Razaz, Methuselah (In Chains of Time)
In Chains of Time was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
June 5–6, 2025
EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra
Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music | New York City, NY
Link TBA
Conductor Rei Hotoda
Featured Artists and Works:
Grace Ann Lee
Marie Douglas
Cheng Jin KOH
Lavell Blackwell
Shawn Johnson
Arjan Singh
Mentor Composers:
Curtis Stewart
June 5, 2025
EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra
Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music | New York City, NY
EarShot CoLABoratory Workshop: Shelley Washington
Thursday, June 5, 2025 @ 1:30-2:30pm | Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music
In her first work for full orchestra, Shelley Washington builds on a previous work, Seething, for cello and kick drum, commissioned and performed by Amanda Gookin. She will explore the question: What would it mean to treat each musician as a virtuoso within the context of a larger group of musicians?
June 5, 2025
Featured Artist & Work
Shelley Washington
June 5–6, 2025
EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra
Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music | New York City, NY
Conductor Rei Hotoda
Featured Artists and Works:
Grace Ann Lee
Marie Douglas
Cheng Jin KOH
Lavell Blackwell
Shawn Johnson
Arjan Singh
Mentor Composers:
Curtis Stewart
June 6, 2025
EarShot Readings: American Composers Orchestra
Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Manhattan School of Music | New York City, NY
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 7:30 PM
American Composers Orchestra
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall | New York City, NY
Link TBA
The New Virtuoso: For Art’s Sake features works that utilize newly created instruments and sonic media to explore symphonic texture. Spanning the use of sculptures that move and sonically react to their environments; graphic scores; gestural conduction; a survey of contemporary techniques for traditional instruments; the fashioning of instruments based on composers’ unique cultural backgrounds, these artists’ sense of design propels them into new compositional spaces.
Lucy Gibbon, Soprano
Mélisse Brunet, Conductor
Daniel Rozin, Responsive Sculptures
The New Virtuoso: For Art's Sake
RAVEN CHACON, Inscription (NY Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
TAMAR MUSKAL, Square Off for Voice and Mirror with Responsive Sculptures (World Premiere, ACO Commission)
ELIJAH DANIEL SMITH, Horizon of Closure (World Premiere, ACO Commission)
MAZZ SWIFT, Memory FIVE: Freedom Initiate (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory, World Premiere)
AARON ISRAEL LEVIN, Multiverse verse chorus bridge verse chorus chorus (ACO Commission, World Premiere)
The New Virtuoso: For Art’s Sake features works that utilize newly created instruments and sonic media to explore symphonic texture. Spanning the use of sculptures that move and sonically react to their environments; graphic scores; gestural conduction; a survey of contemporary techniques for traditional instruments; the fashioning of instruments based on composers’ unique cultural backgrounds, these artists’ sense of design propels them into new compositional spaces.
January 26-30, 2026
EarShot Readings: Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra
Appleton, WI
TBD, Conductor
Featured Artists and Works: TBD
Mentor Composers:
Joanne Metcalf
Asha Srinivasan
Marcos Balter
January 26-30, 2026
EarShot Readings: Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra
Appleton, WI
TBD, Conductor
Featured Artists & Works: TBD
Mentor Composers: Joanne Metcalf, Asha Srinivasan, & Marcos Balter
American Composers Orchestra
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall | New York City, NY
Link TBA
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we focus on artists’ musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk; dreams; unspoken emotions; rituals of celebration; and the connection between the historic and current patriotism of Black American women.
Karen Slack, soprano
Amanda Goookin, cello
Cynthia Yeh, percussion
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us
JOSEPH PHILIPS, We hold these truths (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
BRITTANY GREEN, Letters to America (ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
KITE, Wičhínčala Šakówin (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
SHELLEY WASHINGTON, Haymaker (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
JESSIE MONTGOMERY, Procession (arrangement)
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we focus on artists’ musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk; dreams; unspoken emotions; rituals of celebration; and the connection between the historic and current patriotism of Black American women.
May 17, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Karena Ingram, TBD (World Premiere)
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
May 17, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Karena Ingram, TBD (World Premiere)
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
May 12-13, 2025
EarShot Readings: Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra
Appleton, WI
Michael Clayville, Conductor
Via EarShot, Lawrence University will workshop scores that fall outside of typical performance and notation standards including graphic scores, scores that engage improvisation, and scores with other components that are non-typical to Western musical notation. Selected works include those for open instrumentation (scores that can be read by any configuration of instruments), compositions that integrate "shape note" notation, and works that require light improvisation. Selected composers - Alicia Castillo, Matthew Mason, Lila Meretzky, and Logan Rutledge - will receive individualized feedback from mentor composers Marcos Balter, Joanne Metcalf, and Asha Srinivasan.
Artists will return to Lawrence University in January 2026 to participate in EarShot Readings where they will develop these compositions for the Lawrence University New Music Ensemble.
May 12-13, 2025
EarShot Readings: Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra
Appleton, WI
Michael Clayville, Conductor
Via EarShot, Lawrence University will workshop scores that fall outside of typical performance and notation standards including graphic scores, scores that engage improvisation, and scores with other components that are non-typical to Western musical notation. Selected works include those for open instrumentation (scores that can be read by any configuration of instruments), compositions that integrate "shape note" notation, and works that require light improvisation. Selected composers - Alicia Castillo, Matthew Mason, Lila Meretzky, and Logan Rutledge - will receive individualized feedback from mentor composers Marcos Balter, Joanne Metcalf, and Asha Srinivasan.
Artists will return to Lawrence University in January 2026 to participate in EarShot Readings where they will develop these compositions for the Lawrence University New Music Ensemble.
May 8, 2025, 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
CoLABoratory Workshop
American Composers Orchestra
Benzaquen Hall at DiMenna Center
New York City, New York
Quintet: Violin, viola, cello, bass, percussion + electronics
Featured Artists and Works
Horacio Fernandez, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
Kian Ravaei, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
CoLABoratory Workshop
Featured Artists and Works
Horacio Fernandez, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
Kian Ravaei, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
April 6, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Let there be a paradise…
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Link: https://qcso.org/event/masterworks-vi-rhapsody-in-blue/
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Let there be a paradise... was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
April 6, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Let there be a paradise…
Let there be a paradise... was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
“Signing the Dotted Line”
Licensing and Publishing
April 2, 2025
4:00 PM ET
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Deirdre Chadwick
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.
“Signing the Dotted Line”
Licensing and Publishing
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Deirdre Chadwick
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.
March 26-28, 2025
EarShot Readings: Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN
Conductor: Jeffery Meyer
Featured Artists and Works:
Natalia Camargo Duarte
Emre Sener
Gabriel Novak
Wenxin Li
Alexey Logunov
Corey Chang
Laura Pacheco
Xinyuan Deng
Mentor Composers:
Augusta Read Thomas
David Dzubay
Han Lash
Curtis Stewart
March 26-28, 2025
EarShot Readings: Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN
Conductor: Jeffery Meyer
Mentor Composers: Augusta Read Thomas, David Dzubay, Han Lash, Curtis Stewart
EarShot CoLABoratory Special Event
March 22, 2025
Harlem Samba | Philly Salsa featuring Edmar Castañeda & Curtis Stewart
Esperanza Arts Center | Philadelphia, PA
This event is hosted and curated by Grammy-nominated artists Edmar Castañeda and Curtis Stewart. Harlem Samba/Philly Salsa spotlights two Latino dance and music traditions that blossomed to two separate cities in the 20th century: Samba in New York City and Salsa in Philadelphia, and celebrates the cultural legacy of the Brazilian and Puerto Rican residents responsible for cultivating and sustaining these traditions. Featuring performances by Harlem Samba and Siempre Salsa Philly.
This program is part of American Composers Orchestra’s CoLABoratory Fellowship program at Carnegie Hall – an exploration of how Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and United States cultures have been interconnected for centuries by the effects of colonization and how these musics have been transformed and transported across the Atlantic in the process.
Presented in partnership with AMERICAN COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA
EarShot CoLABoratory Special Event
March 22, 2025
Harlem Samba/Philly Salsa featuring Edmar Castañeda & Curtis Stewart
Esperanza Arts Center | Philadelphia, PA
This event is hosted and curated by Grammy-nominated artists Edmar Castañeda and Curtis Stewart. Harlem Samba/Philly Salsa spotlights two Latino dance and music traditions that blossomed to two separate cities in the 20th century: Samba in New York City and Salsa in Philadelphia, and celebrates the cultural legacy of the Brazilian and Puerto Rican residents responsible for cultivating and sustaining these traditions. Featuring performances by Harlem Samba and Siempre Salsa Philly.
This program is part of American Composers Orchestra’s CoLABoratory Fellowship program at Carnegie Hall – an exploration of how Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and United States cultures have been interconnected for centuries by the effects of colonization and how these musics have been transformed and transported across the Atlantic in the process.
Presented in partnership with AMERICAN COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA
“Away from the Writing Desk and Into the World”
Creating Relationships with Orchestras
March 14, 2025
4:00 PM ET
Staff Moderator: Loki Karuna
Featured Speakers: Allison Loggins-Hull
For most composers, developing and maintaining relationships with orchestras is a key factor toward first and repeat performances. Composer/flutist Allison Loggins-Hull will discuss the “how-tos” of making initial and repeat connections with orchestra administration and staff, sharing her experiences and guidance along the way.
“Away from the Writing Desk and Into the World”
Creating Relationships with Orchestras
Staff Moderator: Loki Karuna
Featured Speakers: Allison Loggins-Hull
For most composers, developing and maintaining relationships with orchestras is a key factor toward first and repeat performances. Composer/flutist Allison Loggins-Hull will discuss the “how-tos” of making initial and repeat connections with orchestra administration and staff, sharing her experiences and guidance along the way.
“Helping Hands”
Traversing Artist Management
March 12, 2025
4:00 PM ET
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Dan Visconti
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.
“Helping Hands”
Traversing Artist Management
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Dan Visconti
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.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Dallas Symphony
Link: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Dallas Symphony
Link: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Dallas Symphony
Link: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 7, 2025, 3:30 PM
CoLABoratory Workshop
American Composers Orchestra
DiMenna Center
New York City, New York
Full orchestra
Featured Artists and Works
Mazz Swift, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
March 7, 2025, 3:30 PM
CoLABoratory Workshop
Full orchestra
Featured Artists and Works
Mazz Swift, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Dallas Symphony
Link: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 - Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6-9, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Arlene Sierra, Kiskadee
Kiskadee was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
March 6, 2025, 7:30 PM ET
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
Tito Muñoz, Conductor
Clarice Assad, Vocals and Electronics
Edmar Castañeda, Harp
Harlem Samba, Percussion
PROGRAM
Clarice Assad: The Evolution of AI (ACO Commission/World Premiere)
Edmar Castañeda: Bordones (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory/World Premiere)
Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda, Curtis Stewart, and Harlem Samba – Fantasy and Interludes on Going Home (inspired by Alice Coltrane’s Lord of Lords) (World Premiere Arrangement)
Tania León, Ácana
Tomàs Peire Serrate: Wayfarer (ACO Commission/World Premiere)
Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and United States culture have been interconnected for centuries by the effects of colonization and the musics transported and transformed overseas as a result. This program features music from various parts of Latin America and its influence on jazz and “Classical” music in the United States. Conductor Tito Muñoz leads ACO in the performance of works by Clarice Assad, Edmar Castañeda, Alice Coltrane, Tania León, and Tomàs Peire Serrate. Guest artists Clarice Assad (vocals and electronics), Edmar Castañeda (harp), and percussion ensemble Harlem Samba join ACO onstage.
Mil Mundos Books is a bilingual bookstore and community center located in Brooklyn, NY whose curation celebrates Black, Latinx, and Indigenous heritage. Founder and Co-Director of Mil Mundos, Maria Herron worked to create a suggested reading list that compliments ACO's Hello, America: Transatlantic program.
Tania Leon's Stride: A Polyrhythmic Life - Alejandro L. Madrid
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America - Juan Gonzalez
An African American and Latinx History of the United States - Paul Ortiz
Monument Eternal: The Music of Alice Coltrane - Franya J. Berkman
Latin American, Afro-Caribbean, and United States culture have been interconnected for centuries by the effects of colonization and the musics transported and transformed overseas as a result. This program features music from various parts of Latin America and its influence on jazz and “Classical” music in the United States. Conductor Tito Muñoz leads ACO in the performance of works by Clarice Assad, Edmar Castañeda, Alice Coltrane, Tania León, and Tomàs Peire Serrate. Guest artists Clarice Assad (vocals and electronics), Edmar Castañeda (harp), and percussion ensemble Harlem Samba join ACO onstage.
March 5, 2025, 10:00 AM
CoLABoratory Workshop
American Composers Orchestra
DiMenna Center
New York City, New York
Full orchestra
Featured Artists and Works
Mazz Swift, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
March 5, 2025, 10:00 AM
CoLABoratory Workshop
Full orchestra
Featured Artists and Works
Mazz Swift, New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
“Onstage Do’s and Do’s”
Rehearsal Techniques and Procedures
February 24, 2025
4:00 PM ET
Staff Moderator: Loki Karuna
Featured Speakers: Leanna Primiani and John Devlin
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.
“Onstage Do’s and Do’s”
Rehearsal Techniques and Procedures
Staff Moderator: Loki Karuna
Featured Speakers: Leanna Primiani and John Devlin
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.
February 22, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra
Link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36404/production/1198898?performanceId=11466141
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
February 22, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
“Put Me On”
Commissions and Consortia Workshop
February 18, 2025
4:00 PM ET
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Vanessa Reed and Juan Pablo Contreras
There's a lot more to getting a commission and building a consortium than writing a great piece of music. In this webinar, the leaders of the American Composers Orchestra and New Music USA will dialogue with one of today's most successful composers about the ins and outs of navigating contracts, fee negotiations, and more!
“Put Me On”
Commissions and Consortia Workshop
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Vanessa Reed and Juan Pablo Contreras
There's a lot more to getting a commission and building a consortium than writing a great piece of music. In this webinar, the leaders of the American Composers Orchestra and New Music USA will dialogue with one of today's most successful composers about the ins and outs of navigating contracts, fee negotiations, and more!
“Beyond Bars”
Creating ‘Non-Traditional’ Scores and Parts
February 4, 2025
4:00 PM ET
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.
“Beyond Bars”
Creating ‘Non-Traditional’ Scores and Parts
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.
February 1–2, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Chelsea Komschlies, Mycelialore (World Premiere)
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Link: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/event/mahler-and-schumann/2025-02-01/1/
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Mycelialore was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
February 1–2, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Chelsea Komschlies, Mycelialore (World Premiere)
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
February 1–2, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Chelsea Komschlies, Mycelialore (World Premiere)
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Link: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/event/mahler-and-schumann/2025-02-01/1/
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
February 1–2, 2025
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Chelsea Komschlies, Mycelialore (World Premiere)
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Composing the Future
Composers and Music Education
January 28, 2025
4:00 PM ET
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. Join them on Wednesday, January 28th, at 4pm ET on Zoom. Registration is free at the link below.
Composing the Future
Composers and Music Education
Staff Moderator: JL Marlor
Featured Speaker: Leila Pertl
EarShot CoLABoratory Workshop
January 20, 2025
10:30a-1:00p
Ripley Grier Studios (939 8th Ave # 2B)
CoLABoratory Fellow Mali Irene leads this improvisatory workshop exploring music as ritual and recognizing the "audience" as fellow music creators in the space. Attendees will be invited to participate in call and response, graphic score reading, sound creating, and deep listening. Attendance is free but registration is required. Capacity is limited.
About the Work
For her ACO-commissioned CoLABoratory work, Mali Irene will draw upon two existing compositions: Rite to Freedom, carried by the Praise House Project, and Becoming (Be Suite), which is an electronic dance work for cello, improvised voice, and visual art.
Rite to Freedom is musically informed by Lined-Hymn singing and the Ring Shout. Becoming (Be Suite) depicts styles of African chanting, spirituals, blues, jazz, and scat singing, and expresses the timeline and evolution of Black music from Africa to modern-day popular music. In Mali’s own words, “I will draw these musical themes of Black sacred music to incorporate into this new orchestral work.”
EarShot CoLABoratory Workshop
January 20, 2025
10:30a-1:00p
Ripley Grier Studios (939 8th Ave # 2B)
CoLABoratory Fellow Mali Irene leads this improvisatory workshop exploring music as ritual and recognizing the "audience" as fellow music creators in the space. Attendees will be invited to participate in call and response, graphic score reading, sound creating, and deep listening. Attendance is free but registration is required. Capacity is limited.
“Tricks of the Trade”
Orchestration Workshop
January 15, 2025
4:00 PM ET
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.
“Tricks of the Trade”
Orchestration Workshop
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.
December 13–14, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Meilina Tsui, Floridian Symphony (World Premiere)
Artis––Naples, Naples Philharmonic
Link: https://artisnaples.org/subscriptions/masterworks
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Floridian Symphony was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
December 13–14, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Meilina Tsui, Floridian Symphony (World Premiere)
Artis––Naples, Naples Philharmonic
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
December 13–14, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Meilina Tsui, TBD (World Premiere)
Artis––Naples, Naples Philharmonic
Link: https://artisnaples.org/subscriptions/masterworks
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
December 13–14, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Meilina Tsui, TBD (World Premiere)
Artis––Naples, Naples Philharmonic
This work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
December 13, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Please let there be a paradise…
Utah Symphony & Opera
Link: https://utahsymphony.org/event/id/33382/
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Please let there be a paradise… was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
December 13, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Please let there be a paradise…
Please let there be a paradise… was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
December 6-7, 2024
American Composers Orchestra
Link: BAM | Journey LIVE
Part of Next Wave 2024 & Emerging Visions
Austin Wintory, Composer & Conductor
Tommy Mesa, cello
Ariadne Greif, soprano
Patrick O’Malley, arranger
Danny Cohen, projectionist
Ode to Joy, Executive Producer
You wake alone, surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert and discover the looming mountaintop that is your goal—your passage will not be an easy one.
In this alchemical collision of video gameplay and music, BAM teams up with composer/conductor Austin Wintory, American Composers Orchestra, and Ode to Joy for an interactive live orchestral performance of the Grammy-nominated score of Journey, “the most beautiful game of its time" (IGN). Never the same each time it is played, Journey LIVE marks an unprecedented formal exploration in which live musicians respond to audience members' journeys through the game—in real time—as they play on-stage.
Do you love Journey? Are you an avid player of the game? Tell us what it means to you for a chance to play the game live on-stage with accompaniment from the American Composers Orchestra.
Have you ever created Journey fan art, or wanted to? Submit your Journey fan art for a chance to be featured on our social channels and entered into a raffle to win a pair of tickets to either performance!
Get excited to hear the stunning soundtrack performed LIVE! You can listen to it on Spotify here.
December 6-7, 2024
American Composers Orchestra
LInk: BAM | Journey LIVE
Austin Wintory, Composer & Conductor
Tommy Mesa, cello
Ariadne Greif, soprano
Patrick O’Malley, arranger
Danny Cohen, projectionist
Ode to Joy, Executive Producer
December 6-7, 2024
American Composers Orchestra
Link: BAM | Journey LIVE
Part of Next Wave 2024 & Emerging Visions
Austin Wintory, Composer & Conductor
Tommy Mesa, cello
Ariadne Greif, soprano
Patrick O’Malley, arranger
Danny Cohen, projectionist
Ode to Joy, Executive Producer
You wake alone, surrounded by miles of burning, sprawling desert and discover the looming mountaintop that is your goal—your passage will not be an easy one.
In this alchemical collision of video gameplay and music, BAM teams up with composer/conductor Austin Wintory, American Composers Orchestra, and Ode to Joy for an interactive live orchestral performance of the Grammy-nominated score of Journey, “the most beautiful game of its time" (IGN). Never the same each time it is played, Journey LIVE marks an unprecedented formal exploration in which live musicians respond to audience members' journeys through the game—in real time—as they play on-stage.
Do you love Journey? Are you an avid player of the game? Tell us what it means to you for a chance to play the game live on-stage with accompaniment from the American Composers Orchestra.
Have you ever created Journey fan art, or wanted to? Submit your Journey fan art for a chance to be featured on our social channels and entered into a raffle to win a pair of tickets to either performance!
Get excited to hear the stunning soundtrack performed LIVE! You can listen to it on Spotify here.
December 6-7, 2024
American Composers Orchestra
LInk: BAM | Journey LIVE
Austin Wintory, Composer & Conductor
Tommy Mesa, cello
Ariadne Greif, soprano
Patrick O’Malley, arranger
Danny Cohen, projectionist
Ode to Joy, Executive Producer
November 22, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Please let there be a paradise…
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Please let there be a paradise… was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
November 22, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Please let there be a paradise…
Please let there be a paradise… was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
October 30, 2024, 7:30 PM ET
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor
Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Bass
Mak Grgik, Guitar
Inbal Segev, Cello
Curtis Stewart, Violin and Electronics
PROGRAM
Michael Abels: Borders
Kebra-Seyoun Charles: New Work (ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory/World Premiere)
Curtis Stewart, Embrace (ACO Commission)
Paul Novak, Forest Migrations (ACO Commission/World Premiere)
Victoria Polevá, The Bell
“The New Virtuoso“ is a series of programs featuring works that defy genre expectations for a solo instrument, and in doing so carve out novel texture, affect and technique in Symphonic composition. This program features works that question the nature and effect of political, gender, and ecologic borders, and how we as humans move and migrate in reaction. With conductor Mei-Ann Chen on the podium, this concert features guitarist Mak Grgik, cellist Inbal Segev, and violinist Curtis Stewart. ACO will perform three commissions by Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Paul Novak, and Curtis Stewart, alongside works by Michael Abels and Victoria Polevá.
“The New Virtuoso“ is a series of programs featuring works that defy genre expectations for a solo instrument, and in doing so carve out novel texture, affect and technique in Symphonic composition. This program features works that question the nature and effect of political, gender, and ecologic borders, and how we as humans move and migrate in reaction. With conductor Mei-Ann Chen on the podium, this concert features guitarist Mak Grgik, cellist Inbal Segev, and violinist Curtis Stewart. ACO will perform three commissions by Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Paul Novak, and Curtis Stewart, alongside works by Michael Abels and Victoria Polevá.
October 28–29, 2024
EarShot Readings: National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
TBD, Conductor
Featured Artists and Works TBD
Mentor Composers:
Jimmy López Bellido
Ana Sokolović
Dinuk Wijeratne
October 28–29, 2024
EarShot Readings: National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
TBD, Conductor
Featured Artists and Works TBD
Mentor Composers:
Jimmy López Bellido
Ana Sokolović
Dinuk Wijeratne
October 28–29, 2024
EarShot Readings: National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
TBD, Conductor
Featured Artists and Works TBD
Mentor Composers:
Jimmy López Bellido
Ana Sokolović
Dinuk Wijeratne
October 28–29, 2024
EarShot Readings: National Arts Centre Orchestra
National Arts Centre | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
TBD, Conductor
Featured Artists and Works TBD
Mentor Composers:
Jimmy López Bellido
Ana Sokolović
Dinuk Wijeratne
October 26, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Wang Lu, Surge
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops
Link: https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/tickets-and-events/buy-tickets/cso/2425-cso-season/sibelius--saint-saens/
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
Surge was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
October 26, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Wang Lu, Surge
Surge was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
October 19, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Gity Razaz, Methuselah (In Chains of Time)
Akron Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program for women composers 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.
The League and ACO have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2024-25 season, 10 composers have their works performed by 15 orchestras across the U.S.
In Chains of Time was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
October 19, 2024
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Gity Razaz, Methuselah (In Chains of Time)
In Chains of Time was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.