Performances
& Events
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Karena Ingram, RAINN
Masterworks 7: Unbroken
Asheville Symphony
First Baptist Church of Asheville | Asheville, NC
Program
KARENA INGRAM, RAINN
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, Piano Concerto No. 12
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH, Symphony No. 10
Darko Butorac, conductor
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras 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 2025–26 season, composers have their works performed by nineteen orchestras across the U.S.
RAINN was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Karena Ingram, RAINN
Masterworks 7: Unbroken
Asheville Symphony
First Baptist Church of Asheville | Asheville, NC
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Karena Ingram, RAINN
Masterworks 7: Unbroken
Asheville Symphony
First Baptist Church of Asheville | Asheville, NC
Program
KARENA INGRAM, RAINN
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, Piano Concerto No. 12
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH, Symphony No. 10
Darko Butorac, conductor
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras 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 2025–26 season, composers have their works performed by nineteen orchestras across the U.S.
RAINN was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Karena Ingram, RAINN
Masterworks 7: Unbroken
Asheville Symphony
First Baptist Church of Asheville | Asheville, NC
Staff Moderator: LaRob K. Rafael
Featured Speakers: Mali Irene, Mazz Swift
While creating and providing standard orchestral scores and parts remains a key component of being a broadly performed composer, more ensembles are increasingly exploring graphic notation and improvised scores. LaRob K. Rafael, Director of Composer Advancement at the American Composers Orchestra, will be joined by composers Mazz Swift and Mali Irene for a dynamic conversation on how to successfully navigate—and creatively thrive within—this expanding corner of new music.
REGISTRATION LINK
Staff Moderator: LaRob K. Rafael
Featured Speakers: Mali Irene, Mazz Swift
REGISTRATION LINK
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
Percussion & Rhythm with Andy Akiho
Oregon Symphony
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Portland, OR
Program
BRITTANY J. GREEN, TESTIFY!
ANDY AKIHO, Percussion Concerto
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY, Symphony No. 4
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras 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, ten composers have their works performed by fifteen orchestras across the U.S.
TESTIFY! was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
Percussion & Rhythm with Andy Akiho
Oregon Symphony
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Portland, OR
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
Percussion & Rhythm with Andy Akiho
Oregon Symphony
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Portland, OR
Program
BRITTANY J. GREEN, TESTIFY!
ANDY AKIHO, Percussion Concerto
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY, Symphony No. 4
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras 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 2025–26 season, composers have their works performed by nineteen orchestras across the U.S.
TESTIFY! was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
Percussion & Rhythm with Andy Akiho
Oregon Symphony
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Portland, OR
American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot Readings offer a rare opportunity to hear new orchestral works in progress, featuring both an open rehearsal and a public reading at Cary Hall, DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Led by Jeffery Meyer and mentor composers Huang Ruo, Valerie Coleman, and Curtis Stewart, this year's program features works by Benjamin T. Martin, Unfurling Dances; Ty Bloomfield, fragrances of something sweet; Coral Douglas, TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY; Steven R. Gerber, Spirituals for String Orchestra, 1. Homage to Dvořák (“Goin’ Home”); Tyler Kline, West of the Sun; Seare Farhat, shadows rising soundless as night; and Kimberly Osberg, NIGHT LIGHTS. Join us June 11–12 for these readings.
REGISTRATION LINK
JEFFERY MEYER, conductor
BENJAMIN T. MARTIN, Unfurling Dances
TY BLOOMFIELD, fragrances of something sweet
CORAL DOUGLAS, TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY
STEVEN R. GERBER, Spirituals for String Orchestra
1. Homage to Dvořák (“Goin’ Home”)
TYLER KLINE, West of the Sun
SEARE FARHAT, shadows rising soundless as night
KIMBERLY OSBERG, Night Lights
Mentor Composers:
Valerie Coleman
Huang Ruo
Curtis Stewart
ACO 2026 EarShot Readings are supported by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
Lead support for EarShot CoLABoratory is generously provided by TD Charitable Foundation. EarShot is a program of American Composers Orchestra completed in partnership with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. The program is made possible with support from Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting, Mellon Foundation, Fromm Music Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and BMI Foundation, Inc. Additional support is provided by The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc., Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams Charitable Fund, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, G. Schirmer/Wise Music Foundation, the Stephen R. Gerber Trust, and the League of American Orchestras with support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Public funds are provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
This year's ACO EarShot Readings showcase emerging composers in an open rehearsal and reading led by Jeffery Meyer, with mentors Huang Ruo, Valerie Coleman, and Curtis Stewart. Featuring works by Benjamin Martin, Ty Bloomfield, Coral Douglas, Steven R. Gerber, Tyler Kline, Seare Farhat, and Kimberly Osberg, it highlights today’s orchestral voices. Join us June 11–12.
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American Composers Orchestra
June 11, 2026
1:30 PM
DiMenna Center for Classical Music | New York, NY
Featured Artists and Works:
Malachi Brown
American Composers Orchestra’s EarShot Readings offer a rare opportunity to hear new orchestral works in progress, featuring both an open rehearsal and a public reading at Cary Hall, DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Led by Jeffery Meyer and mentor composers Huang Ruo, Valerie Coleman, and Curtis Stewart, this year's program features works by Benjamin T. Martin, Unfurling Dances; Ty Bloomfield, fragrances of something sweet; Coral Douglas, TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY; Steven R. Gerber, Spirituals for String Orchestra, 1. Homage to Dvořák (“Goin’ Home”); Tyler Kline, West of the Sun; Seare Farhat, shadows rising soundless as night; and Kimberly Osberg, NIGHT LIGHTS. Join us June 11–12 for these readings.
REGISTRATION LINK
JEFFERY MEYER, conductor
BENJAMIN T. MARTIN, Unfurling Dances
TY BLOOMFIELD, fragrances of something sweet
CORAL DOUGLAS, TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY
STEVEN R. GERBER, Spirituals for String Orchestra
1. Homage to Dvořák (“Goin’ Home”)
TYLER KLINE, West of the Sun
SEARE FARHAT, shadows rising soundless as night
KIMBERLY OSBERG, Night Lights
Mentor Composers:
Valerie Coleman
Huang Ruo
Curtis Stewart
ACO 2026 EarShot Readings are supported by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
Lead support for EarShot CoLABoratory is generously provided by TD Charitable Foundation. EarShot is a program of American Composers Orchestra completed in partnership with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. The program is made possible with support from Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting, Mellon Foundation, Fromm Music Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and BMI Foundation, Inc. Additional support is provided by The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc., Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams Charitable Fund, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, G. Schirmer/Wise Music Foundation, the Stephen R. Gerber Trust, and the League of American Orchestras with support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Public funds are provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
This year's ACO EarShot Readings showcase emerging composers in an open rehearsal and reading led by Jeffery Meyer, with mentors Huang Ruo, Valerie Coleman, and Curtis Stewart. Featuring works by Benjamin T. Martin, Ty Bloomfield, Coral Douglas, Steven R. Gerber, Tyler Kline, Seare Farhat, and Kimberly Osberg, it highlights today’s orchestral voices. Join us June 11–12.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Declaration: Songs of Democracy, Voices of Hope
American Composers Orchestra
What does it mean to be an American today? That is the question posed by the curator, pianist and producer Lara Downes in Declaration: Songs of Democracy, Voices of Hope, featuring world premieres by three major composers. Valerie Coleman presents Life, a work for solo piano; Arturo O'Farrill offers the Liberty; and Christopher Tin closes with The Pursuit of Happiness. These latter two compositions are performed by the American Composers Orchestra, under the baton of Eric Jacobsen, with the aid of a select collective of artists and bands who represent a wide range of the American experience. Guests will include jazz bassist Christian McBride, vocalists Kurt Elling and Aoife O’Donovan, and more to be announced.
Lara Downes curates a trio of world premiere compositions reflecting on the modern meaning behind life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Melody Eötvös, Red Dirt | Silver Rain
Stanford Philharmonia
Bing Concert Hall | Stanford, CA
Paul Phillips, conductor
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras 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 2025–26 season, composers have their works performed by nineteen orchestras across the U.S.
Red Dirt | Silver Rain was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
SONiC teams up with Luna Composition Lab and International Contemporary Ensemble to present a concert of brand new works by the 2022–23 Luna Lab Fellows. Founded in 2016 by composers Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid, Luna Composition Lab provides mentorship and performance opportunities to young composers ages 13–18 who are female, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming. Missy Mazzoli, Ellen Reid, and George Lewis curate this evening of world premieres as well as additional works by Luna Lab mentors.
Yosvany Terry and Atlantic ConnectionsJazz at Lincoln Center and SONiC co-present a program curated by two of the most innovative artists bridging the boundaries between Latin Jazz and classical music—Clarice Assad and Yosvany Terry—at Dizzy’s Club.Atlantic Connections, created by Yosvany Terry and Alicia Hall Moran, is a song cycle inspired by a selection of poets from the African Diaspora, including Maya Angelou, Salgado Maranhão (Brasil), and Silvie Kande (Senegal). The work of these poets served as a launching point for Terry and Hall to explore themes of land, home, motherhood, love, loss, distance, displacement, and water as some of the elements that spiritually connect the peoples of the African Diaspora. Atlantic Connections was originally commissioned by the Harvard University Committee on the Arts.
ACO teams up with the Public Theater for a night of SONiC explorations curated by two of ACO’s recently commissioned composers Paula Matthusen and inti figgis-vizueta. Two events on the same evening: Wednesday, June 7 at 7pm and 9:30pm. The 7pm event curated by inti figgis-vizueta features The Rhythm Method, an ensemble of four composer-performers.
SONiC and Mannes/The New School co-present three new interactive works developed through ACO’s EarShot CoLABoratory composer residency program. Inspired by the African-American history of resilience, healing, and awakening post-trauma, Marcus Gilmore’s Pulse, developed with ACO through The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative with mentor Zakir Hussain, is scored for drums, jazz ensemble, spoken word, and orchestra. Trevor New’s Cohere Touch connects artists across continents using the composer’s own augmented reality environment. Mendi and Keith Obadike’s Dream Train is an immersive sound installation and performance that encourages audiences to dream collectively as a means of social transformation.
Music from Copland House presents six world premieres of the new works it commissioned from the 2023 Fellows of its acclaimed annual Emerging Composers Institute: Henry Dorn, Seare Farhat, Oswald Huỳnh, Maya Miro Johnson, Grace Ann Lee, and Max Vinetz. CULTIVATE 2023, directed by Grammy-nominated composer-clarinetist Derek Bermel, is an intensive, creative workshop and mentoring program for gifted American composers of all backgrounds and identities, in the initial stages of their professional careers. Each year, six young composers are awarded fellowships to participate in this immersive, weeklong session, which takes place at Aaron Copland’s National Historic Landmark home in Westchester County, one hour north of New York City.
An all world premiere program featuring Orchestra Underground, ACO’s smaller, flexible, entrepreneurial orchestra that embraces electronics, multimedia, unusual instruments, new collaborations and new influences.