Performances
& Events
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, New Work
Masterworks IV: The Rite of Spring
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Alder Theater | Davenport, IA
Program
MODEST MUSSORGSKY, Dawn on the Moskva River
ANGEL LAM, Unearthing the Heart: The Thousand Grottoes of Dunhuang [World Premiere]
IGOR STRAVINSKY, The Rite of Spring
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.
Angel Lam’s New Work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, New Work
Masterworks IV: The Rite of Spring
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Alder Theater | Davenport, IA
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, New Work
Masterworks IV: The Rite of Spring
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Alder Theater | Davenport, IA
Program
MODEST MUSSORGSKY, Dawn on the Moskva River
ANGEL LAM, Unearthing the Heart: The Thousand Grottoes of Dunhuang [World Premiere]
IGOR STRAVINSKY, The Rite of Spring
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.
Angel Lam’s New Work was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, New Work
Masterworks IV: The Rite of Spring
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Alder Theater | Davenport, IA
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Julia Aldolphe, Unearth, Release
Experience the Intrigue
Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra
Lied Center for Performing Arts | Lincoln, NE
Program
JEAN SIBELIUS, Finlandia
JULIA ALDOLPHE, Unearth, Release
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, Scheherazade
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.
Unearth, Release was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Julia Aldolphe, Unearth, Release
Experience the Intrigue
Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra
Lied Center for Performing Arts | Lincoln, NE
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Brittany J. Green, TESTIFY!
Jubilee & Joy: Green & Beethoven
Lexington Philharmonic
Singletary Center for the Arts | Lexington, KY
Program
BRITTANY J. GREEN, TESTIFY!
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 9
Mélisse Brunet, conductor
The Lexington Singers (Dejah Watts, soprano; Hannah Shae, mezzo-soprano; Matthew Pearce, tenor; Sunghoon Han, bass)
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!
Jubilee & Joy: Green & Beethoven
Lexington Philharmonic
Singletary Center for the Arts | Lexington, KY
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Please let there be a paradise…
Masterworks III - Regeneration
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Capitol Theater | Madison, WI
Program
ANGEL LAM, Please let there be a paradise…
DAN CAVANAGH, Concerto for Jazz Trio
MICHAEL BELL, Regeneration: A Pentalogy
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.
Please let there be a paradise… was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Angel Lam, Please let there be a paradise…
Masterworks III - Regeneration
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Capitol Theater | Madison, WI
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Meilina Tsui, Floridian Symphony
MasterWorks V: Alpine Symphony
Canton Symphony Orchestra
Zimmermann Symphony Center | Canton, OH
Program
JEAN SIBELIUS, Karelia Overture
MEILINA TSUI, Floridian Symphony
RICHARD STRAUSS, An Alpine Symphony
Jeri Lynne Johnson, 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.
Floridian Symphony was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Meilina Tsui, Floridian Symphony
MasterWorks V: Alpine Symphony
Canton Symphony Orchestra
Zimmermann Symphony Center | Canton, OH
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Moni Jasmine Guo, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
Symphony Series: Brahms & Dvořák
Richmond Symphony
Carpenter Theatre | Richmond, VA
Program
MONI JASMINE GUO, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
ANTONIN DVORAK, Cello Concerto
JOHANNES BRAHMS, Symphony No. 4
Valentina Peleggi, 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.
the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn) was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Moni Jasmine Guo, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
Symphony Series: Brahms & Dvořák
Richmond Symphony
Carpenter Theatre | Richmond, VA
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Cindy Cox, Dreaming a world’s edge
ORIGINS
North Corner Chamber Orchestra
Rainier Arts Center | Seattle, WA
Program
CINDY COX, Dreaming a world's edge
FELIX MENDELSSOHN, Symphony No. 1
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.
Dreaming a world’s edge was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Cindy Cox, Dreaming a world’s edge
ORIGINS
North Corner Chamber Orchestra
Rainier Arts Center | Seattle, WA
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Cindy Cox, Dreaming a world’s edge
ORIGINS
North Corner Chamber Orchestra
Rainier Arts Center | Seattle, WA
Program
CINDY COX, Dreaming a world's edge
FELIX MENDELSSOHN, Symphony No. 1
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.
Dreaming a world’s edge was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Cindy Cox, Dreaming a world’s edge
ORIGINS
North Corner Chamber Orchestra
Rainier Arts Center | Seattle, WA
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American Composers Orchestra
The DiMenna Center for Classical Music | New York City, NY
Link: https://secure.givelively.org/event/american-composers-orchestra/colaboratory-workshop-mali-irene
Featured Artists and Works
Mali Irene
American Composers Orchestra
The DiMenna Center for Classical Music | New York City, NY
Link: https://secure.givelively.org/event/american-composers-orchestra/colaboratory-workshop-mali-irene
American Composers Orchestra
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall | New York City, NY
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as part of Carnegie Hall's United in Sound festival, we invite written and musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk, Lakota Dream Kit symbology, unspoken emotions, rituals of celebration, and the writings of historic and current Black American women.
Karen Slack, soprano
Amanda Gookin, cello
Cynthia Yeh, percussion
Carolyn Kuan, conductor
Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us
SHELLEY WASHINGTON, Haymaker (World Premiere, ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS JR., We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident (World Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
BRITTANY J. GREEN, Letters to America (World Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
KITE, Cosmologyscape: Carnegie Hall (World Premiere, ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory)
JESSIE MONTGOMERY, Procession for solo percussionist and orchestra (NY Premiere)
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as part of Carnegie Hall's United in Sound festival, we invite written and musical open letters to America, which reflect narratives around the summer homes of turn-of-the-century Black folk, Lakota Dream Kit symbology, unspoken emotions, rituals of celebration, and the writings of historic and current Black American women.
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Featured Artists and Works
Horacio Fernandez, NEW WORK
Featured Artists and Works
Horacio Fernandez, NEW WORK
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Stacy Garrop, Goddess Triptych
Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Orpheum Theater | New Orleans, LA
Program
LOUISE FARRENC, Overture No. 1, in e minor
STACY GARROP, Goddess Triptych
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 9, Op. 125
Matthew Kraemer, 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.
Goddess Triptych was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Stacy Garrop, Goddess Triptych
Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Orpheum Theater | New Orleans, LA
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Marina López, Moño
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto + Sibelius Symphony No. 7
Monterey Symphony
Sunset Center | Carmel, CA
Program
MARINA LÓPEZ, Moño
JEAN SIBELIUS, Symphony No. 7
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY, Violin Concerto
Jayce Ogren, Music Director and 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.
Moño was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Marina López, Moño
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto + Sibelius Symphony No. 7
Monterey Symphony
Sunset Center | Carmel, CA
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Stacy Garrop, CHROMA
Gardens of Spain
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
The Schrott Center for the Arts | Indianapolis, IN
AARON COPLAND, Three Latin American Sketches
MANUEL DE FALLA, Nights in the Gardens of Spain
LOUIS GOTTSCHALK, Symphony No. 2 (Montevideo)
STACY GARROP, CHROMA
Matthew Kraemer, conductor
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras have established a third national consortium, featuring three new commissions of full-length, 25- to 30-minute concert works. World premieres and repeat performances of the new works by a consortium of nine orchestras will occur during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
CHROMA was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Stacy Garrop, CHROMA
Gardens of Spain
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
The Schrott Center for the Arts | Indianapolis, IN
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Marina López, Moño
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto + Sibelius Symphony No. 7
Monterey Symphony
Sunset Center | Carmel, CA
Program
MARINA LÓPEZ, Moño
JEAN SIBELIUS, Symphony No. 7
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY, Violin Concerto
Jayce Ogren, Music Director and 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.
Moño was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Marina López, Moño
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto + Sibelius Symphony No. 7
Monterey Symphony
Sunset Center | Carmel, CA
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Jasmine Guo, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto: Radiant Vision
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Powell Hall | St. Louis, MO
Program
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, The Consecration of the House Overture
JASMINE GUO, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
KEVIN PUTS, Concerto for Orchestra
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”
Stéphane Denève, 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.
the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn) was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Jasmine Guo, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto: Radiant Vision
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Powell Hall | St. Louis, MO
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Jasmine Guo, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto: Radiant Vision
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Powell Hall | St. Louis, MO
Program
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, The Consecration of the House Overture
JASMINE GUO, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
KEVIN PUTS, Concerto for Orchestra
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”
Stéphane Denève, 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.
the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn) was commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Jasmine Guo, the sound of where i came from (乡音 Xiāng Yīn)
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto: Radiant Vision
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Powell Hall | St. Louis, MO
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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
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
Jeffery Meyer, conductor
Featured Artists and Works:
Seare Farhat, shadows rising soundless as night
Gregory Kline, West of the Sun
Ty Bloomfield, FRAGRANCES OF SOMETHING SWEET
Coral Douglas, TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY
Kimberly Osberg, NIGHT LIGHTS
Benjamin T Martin, Unfurling Dances
Mentor Composers:
TBD
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Featured Artists and Works:
Malachi Brown
Jeffery Meyer, conductor
Featured Artists and Works:
Seare Farhat, shadows rising soundless as night
Gregory Kline, West of the Sun
Ty Bloomfield, FRAGRANCES OF SOMETHING SWEET
Coral Douglas, TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY
Kimberly Osberg, NIGHT LIGHTS
Benjamin T Martin, Unfurling Dances
Mentor Composers:
TBD
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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.
Join the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as it teams up with three living composers at a free general-admission performance. Hear exciting new pieces being workshopped at the Philharmonic by the nation's brightest and most talented emerging composers in the early stages of promising careers: The participants and their compositions are Nathan Kelly ("Redwood"), Ms. Sohwa Lee ("Palindrome"), and Robert Rankin ("Nijinsky Dances").EarShot is a nationwide network of new music readings and composer-development programs. It is the nation’s first ongoing, systematic program for identifying emerging orchestral composers; it provides professional-level working experience with orchestras from every region of the country and increases awareness of these composers and access to their music throughout the industry.The performance will be the culmination of four days of workshops and rehearsals. It will be professionally recorded and each composer will be given a high-quality audio recording to be used for archival, study and portfolio purposes.No ticket is required for admission to the performance.This event is a partnership of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA.
Join the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as it teams up with three living composers at a free general-admission performance.
In ACO’s 40 year history, 26 of those years have included a New Music Reading program, first known as The Whitaker New Music Readings and subsequently as The Underwood New Music Readings. They have become one of this country’s most coveted opportunities for emerging composers. This year, six of the nation’s most promising composers in the early stages of their professional careers have been selected from over 200 submissions received from around the country.Writing for symphony orchestra remains one of the supreme challenges for the aspiring composer. Learning the subtleties of instrumental balance and timbre, effective part preparation, and how to effectively communicate with the conductor and musicians are critical skills, but openings for composers to gain hands-on experience working with a professional orchestra are few. The Underwood New Music Readings give emerging composers the opportunity to work with an orchestra singular in its commitment to the development of the American composer, and to hear their work performed by some of the country’s most outstanding contemporary music instrumentalists.This year’s participants are composers with diverse backgrounds and stylistic approaches. Each meets with the conductor, key orchestra members, a publishing consultant and mentor composers in preparation for two sessions with the orchestra. Following the sessions with the orchestra, the composers will meet with ACO staff, orchestra members, the conductor and mentor composers to receive critical commentary and feedback. The Readings are professionally recorded to assist each composer in analysis and professional development. Additionally, ACO provides a Career Development Workshop with sessions and panel discussions on publishing, copyright law and promotional strategies with industry leaders. After the conclusion of the Readings, one composer will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO in a future season. The audience is also invited to vote for an audience choice award.To date, the New Music Readings have offered a vital resource to the industry by providing essential career development opportunities to over 150 composers, including such award- winning composers as Derek Bermel, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Sebastian Currier, Pierre Jalbert, Randall Woolf, Jennifer Higdon, and Augusta Read Thomas. Since participating in ACO’s readings, these composers have held important residencies and had scores of works commissioned, premiered, and performed by many of the country’s most prominent symphony orchestras.
In ACO’s 40 year history, 26 of those years have included a New Music Reading program, first known as The Whitaker New Music Readings and subsequently as The Underwood New Music Readings. They have become one of this country’s most coveted opportunities for emerging composers.
The American Composers Orchestra, partnered with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, meets for the 2016-17 season's Earshot New Music Readings.
The American Composers Orchestra, partnered with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, meets for the 2016-17 season's Earshot New Music Readings.
ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2016-17 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Earshot New Music Readings.
ACO partners with the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra for their 2016-17 Earshot New Music Readings
The American Composers Orchestra hosts the 2016 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Readings.
The American Composers Orchestra hosts the 2016 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Readings.
25th Annual Underwood New Music Readings for emerging composers. Seven composers heard ACO perform their work live for the first time, received personalized mentorship, and an archival recording.
25th Annual Underwood New Music Readings for emerging composers.
The JCOI Readings by the Naples Philharmonic will take place at Artis-Naples Hayes Hall, with mentor composers Vincent Mendoza (composer/arranger), James Newton (JCOI Director; University of California, Los Angeles), and Derek Bermel (Artistic Director, ACO), conducted by Naples Philharmonic Assistant Conductor Yaniv Segal.These composers were selected from a field of 34 nationwide based on their excellent musicianship, originality, and potential for future growth in orchestral composition. Each of the 34 participated in JCOI’s first phase, a summer intensive last August at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where they studied new scores and compositional techniques, as well as best practices in orchestration, notation, score preparation, and contemporary performance. Over the course of the last year, sixteen of these composers have been writing new works, taking what they learned in the first phase and putting it into practice. Their pieces will be played and rehearsed, and refined through a series of workshops and critical feedback sessions with the orchestra players, conductors, and mentor composers.The EarShot Naples Philharmonic New Music Readings are the first of three such Readings programs taking place around the country through EarShot, the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network. In addition to the four composers in tonight’s Reading, a dozen composers will have their music workshopped and performed by American Composers Orchestra this June and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in September.JCOI is a new development in the jazz field. While many jazz composers seek to write for the symphony orchestra, opportunities for hands-on experience are few. JCOI provides new resources for both jazz and classical music, promoting the emergence of composers trained in both jazz and new orchestral techniques. The program broadens the scope of jazz education and presents opportunities for career development—and what’s more, audiences are presented with exciting new models for musical exchange. The Readings represent not only the culmination of the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute, but also a glimpse into a future of new possibilities—a future where “jazz” composers embrace the “symphony” orchestra, and the orchestra embraces them.
The JCOI Readings by the Naples Philharmonic will take place at Artis-Naples Hayes Hall, with mentor composers Vincent Mendoza (composer/arranger), James Newton (JCOI Director; University of California, Los Angeles), and Derek Bermel (Artistic Director, ACO), conducted by Naples Philharmonic Assistant Conductor Yaniv Segal.
ACO partners with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for their 2015-16 Earshot New Music Readings
ACO partners with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for their 2015-16 Earshot New Music Readings
24th Annual Underwood New Music Readings for emerging composers. Seven composers heard ACO perform their work live for the first time, received personalized mentorship, and an archival recording.
24th Annual Underwood New Music Readings for emerging composers.
ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for their 2014-15 Earshot New Music Readings
ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for their 2014-15 Earshot New Music Readings
ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2014-15 Earshot New Music Readings
ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2014-15 Earshot New Music Readings
The American Composers Orchestra meets for their 23rd Annual Underwood New Music readings. Featuring seven emerging American composers.
The American Composers Orchestra meets for their 23rd Annual Underwood New Music readings.
The ACO partners with the New York Philharmonic for their 2014 Earshot New Music Readings featuring American Composers.
The ACO partners with the New York Philharmonic for their 2014 Earshot New Music Readings featuring American Composers.
The ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for a two part New Music readings with esteemed American composers. Composers not only get the opportunity to hear their works performed by a live orchestra, but they will revise their works for a second reading after two months.
The ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for a two part New Music readings with esteemed American composers. Composers not only get the opportunity to hear their works performed by a live orchestra, but they will revise their works for a second reading after two months.
The ACO partners with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for their 2014 Earshot New Music readings titled "Classical Roots"
The ACO partners with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for their 2014 Earshot New Music readings titled "Classical Roots"
The ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for a two part New Music readings with esteemed American composers. Composers not only get the opportunity to hear their works performed by a live orchestra, but they will revise their works for a second reading after two months.
The ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for a two part New Music readings with esteemed American composers. Composers not only get the opportunity to hear their works performed by a live orchestra, but they will revise their works for a second reading after two months.
The ACO and the Buffalo Philharmonic present the 2013 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute (JCOI) Earshot New Music Readings featuring the some of the country's most talented emerging American Jazz composers.
The ACO and the Buffalo Philharmonic present the 2013 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute (JCOI) Earshot New Music Readings featuring the some of the country's most talented emerging American Jazz composers.
22nd Annual Underwood New Music Readings and CommissionApril 8-10, 2013Up to six composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO. There are no age restrictions; however, applicants should be at the early stages of their professional careers. Each composer may submit only one composition for consideration. Only works that will not have been performed or read by a professional orchestra nor received a public performance prior to the reading date are eligible. Do not submit recordings. Only works completed after January 1, 2008, will be considered. Compositions should be up to 15 minutes in length. Shorter works, or a portion or movement from longer works, will also be considered. Maximum instrumentation is: Winds 3*3*3*3*; Brass 4.3*3*1; Timpani + 4 Percussion, Harp, Keyboard; and Strings 10.8.6.6.4. (Standard orchestral doublings are permitted.) Works requiring soloists will not be considered. If selected, composers must provide professional, legible orchestral parts and scores prepared according to guidelines established by the Major Orchestral Librarians Association (MOLA) by March 1, 2013. MOLA guidelines can be found at:http://www.mola-inc.org/MOLAGuidelinesText.htm The quality of the score submitted is the primary evaluation criteria. It is therefore in the applicant’s best interest that the score be clear and accurate. Works employing electronics, MIDI, digital technology, and/or sound reinforcement in combination with the above instrumental forces will NOT be considered, neither will incomplete, illegible, or late applications. Composers who have applied previously for an UNMR are eligible to apply. However you must submit a new, complete application, including score and all required background information. Please contact the American Composers Orchestra with any questions concerning eligibility.At the Readings, composers will meet with ACO artistic staff and orchestra members—including conductor and music director George Manahan, artistic director Robert Beaser and mentor composer Christopher Theofanidis. The Readings are professionally recorded, and each composer is given a high-quality audio recording to be used for study purposes. Composers also participate in a series of professional development workshops covering such topics as promotion, score preparation, copyright and commissioning agreements, and other career essentials. Participants’ travel expenses are provided.
21st Annual Underwood New Music Readings and Commission June 1-3, 2012Up to six composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO.The readings are the core of ACO’s ongoing professional training programs for emerging American composers.At the Readings, composers will meet with ACO artistic staff and orchestra members—including conductor and music director George Manahan, artistic director Robert Beaser and mentor composers Derek Bermel, Steven Stucky, and Melinda Wagner—and receive critical commentary and feedback. The Readings are professionally recorded, and each composer is given a high-quality audio recording to be used for study purposes. Composers also participate in a series of professional development workshops covering such topics as promotion, score preparation, copyright and commissioning agreements, and other career essentials. Participants’ travel expenses are provided.
21st Annual Underwood New Music Readings and Commission
The ACO partners with the San Diego Symphony for their 2012 Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO partners with the San Diego Symphony for their 2012 Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2011 Earshot New Music Readings.
The ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2011 Earshot New Music Readings.
19th Annual Underwood New Music Readings featuring new music by American composers.
The ACO partners with the Pioneer Valley Symphony for their 2010 Earshot New Music Readings.
The ACO partners with the Pioneer Valley Symphony for their 2010 Earshot New Music Readings.
The ACO partners with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for their first season of Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO partners with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for their first season of Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO joins the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for their very first Earshot New Music Reading in 2009
The ACO joins the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for their very first Earshot New Music Reading
The Underwood New Music Readings present an opportunity to selected young composers to have there works read and recorded by a professional orchestra. The event is open to the public and ACO reaches out to schools and other music organizations inviting them to attend the readings.
The American Composers Orchestra presents the 17th Annual Underwood New Music Readings, featuring readings by emerging American Composers.
The American Composers Orchestra presents the 17th Annual Underwood New Music Readings.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 16th annual Underwood New Music Reading Sessions to be held at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts in New York City on May 8 & 9, 2007. Up to eight composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO.Writing for the symphony orchestra remains one of the supreme challenges for the aspiring composer. The subtleties of instrumental balance, timbre, effective part preparation, and communication with conductor and musicians are critical skills. But openings for composers to gain hands-on experience working with a professional orchestra are few. ACO's New Music Reading Sessions are designed to give emerging composers the opportunity to work with an orchestra singular in its commitment to the development of the American composer and to hear their work performed by some of the country's most outstanding contemporary music instrumentalists.Led by ACO Artistic Director Robert Beaser, the Readings are the core of ACO's ongoing professional training programs for emerging American composers.At the Readings, composers will meet with ACO artistic staff, orchestra members, and composer advisors and receive critical commentary and feedback. Members of ACO's composer advisory panel and guest composers participate in preliminary reviews of scores, post-Reading evaluations and selection of the composer to receive the commission award. The Reading are professionally recorded, and each composer a high-quality audio recording to be used for study purposes.ACO's related programs include an annual composer fellowship that allows a composer to work with ACO's artistic and administrative staffs over the course of a season; and Orchestra Tech, a multi-year project to explore the past, present and future applications of electronics and digital technologies in orchestral music. Through Orchestra Tech, works employing electronics and digital technology are now encouraged for the Readings.Lead support for the New Music Readings comes from Mr. Paul Underwood, the Fromm Foundation and The Helen F. Whitaker Fund. ACO's emerging composers programs are made possible with the support of Jerome Foundation, and with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 16th annual Underwood New Music Reading Sessions
American Composers Orchestra announces its 15th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission. Up to eight composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO at Carnegie Hall. The Readings are led by Artistic Director Robert Beaser and, and will be held on May 18 & 19, 2006 in New York City. Composers Paul Moravec and Stephen Paulus will serve as composer-mentors.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 15th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 14th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission. Up to eight composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO at Carnegie Hall. The Readings are led by Artistic Director Robert Beaser and Music Director Steven Sloane, and will be held on May 5-6, 2005 at Columbia University. The application deadline is November 10, 2004. The submission form, guidelines, and additional information is available at www.americancomposers.org/nmr or by calling ACO at 212 977 8495 x202/readings@americancomposers.org.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 14th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and CommissionAmerican Composers Orchestra announces its 14th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission.