Performances
& Events
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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
March 23, 2026
3:30 PM
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speakers: Dan Visconti , Jeff Scott
There is much more to securing a commission or building a successful consortium than simply writing a great piece of music. In this candid conversation, Melissa Ngan, President and CEO of American Composers Orchestra, will be joined by arts leader Dan Visconti of Visconti Arts and composer and performer Jeff Scott to explore the behind-the-scenes realities of commissioning. Together, they will unpack how artists, managers, and partner organizations collaborate to navigate contracts, fee negotiations, consortium structures, and the delicate balance of honoring the composer’s voice while meeting institutional priorities.
REGISTRATION LINK
March 23, 2026
3:30 PM
Staff Moderator: Melissa Ngan
Featured Speaker: Dan Visconti , Jeff Scott
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Virginia B. Toulmin Commission Concert
Moni 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
MONI 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
Moni 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
Moni 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
MONI 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
Moni 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
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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
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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American Composers Orchestra
June 11, 2026
1:30 PM
DiMenna Center for Classical Music | New York, NY
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.
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.