American Composers Orchestra

FREE WEBINAR - Beyond Bars: Creating “Non-Traditional” Scores and Parts Monday, May 18, 2026 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT Zoom Staff Moderator: @robkrafael Featured Speakers: @maliirenemusic and @mazzmuse 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. 🔗 in bio for registration!

Soprano @kikislacksoprano shares a bit about the inspiration and meaning behind "Letters to America" composed by @brittanyjgreenmusic . Slack performed at our recent @carnegiehall concert on March 11.

Meet my new band😎 @thedeclarationproject today at @talentunlimitedhighschool with @lincolncenter and @amercomporch 🫶🏽 The future is bright 🙌🏽 #america

Composer @brittanyjgreenmusic talks about the structure and collaborative process behind her piece "Letters to America," which was performed as part of our recent @carnegiehall concert on March 11. #composers #composersofig

Soprano @kikislacksoprano reflects a bit on her passion for opera and the music she creates. Slack performed at our recent @carnegiehall concert on March 11th, 2026. #composers #musiciansofig

Composer @brittanyjgreenmusic shares about the music and artistic spaces she loves to create. Her work "Letters to America" was featured as part of our recent @carnegiehall concert on March 11. #composers #orchestras

I could not be more thrilled and delighted to share with @lincolncenter today’s announcement of Summer for the City 2026, featuring the world premiere of my project DECLARATION: SONGS OF DEMOCRACY, VOICES OF HOPE 🗽🕊️ This total embrace of American music and culmination of @thedeclarationproject highlights brand new works by @valerie_coleman_music @pianitis and @christophertinmusic - with special guests @chrmcbride @kurtelling @aoifemaria @ekepnkwelle @wyattellis @reallouiscato @migguelanggelo @carrierockriguez & @tugv.cc 🙌🏽🙌🏽 Join us at David Geffen Hall on July 1!! Link in Bio & Stories🎟️ Director: @jamesblaszko Visuals: @k8tefree #summerforthecity

THURSDAY NIGHT: Composer @curtis.stewart_violin dives into how American classical music and the blues shape your arts practice. This is your chance to learn directly from a 7-time GRAMMY® nominee, @sphinxorg honoree, @amercomporch Artistic Director, and one of the most influential voices redefining classical music today. APRIL 16 | 7–8PM | Zoom FREE for Next Fest alums, limited public admission RSVP: bit.ly/curtis-360 Alumni, use code NEXTFESTALUM Part of the 360° Artist Pro Development Series, curated by @adie.baban , helping emerging artists level up in leadership, entrepreneurship, fundraising, and impact. SEE MORE: next-fest.org/the-360-artist 🎥: Curtis’ “Essay # 1 Leave the People,” commissioned and premiered for the Next Fest 2024 season. #classicalmusic #newmusic #musicianslife #careerdevelopment #artsleadership

FREE WEBINAR - Signing the Dotted Line: Licensing and Publishing Staff Moderator: @melissa.c.ngan Featured Speaker: Elizabeth Blaufox (Senior Director, Promotion, Boosey & Hawkes) 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST A working understanding of publishing agreements, licensing for media, and royalty payments is vital to making a living as a composer. This webinar aims to demystify some of the fine print that composers face as their careers reach larger scale. 🔗 in bio for registration!

Grateful for everyone who joined us, near and far, for Hello, America: Letters to Us, from Us at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall last month 🧡 Led by @carolynkuan.conductor , we were joined by guest artists Cynthia Yeh, @amandagookin , @kikislacksoprano , and Cosmologyscape Ensemble. We are also grateful to @boulangerinitiative for joining us. PROGRAM: @shelleyplaysaxy , Haymaker (World Premiere, ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory) @numinousmusic , We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident (World Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory) @brittanyjgreenmusic , Letters to America (World Premiere, ACO Co-commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory) @kitekitekitekitekite and @alishabwormsley , Cosmologyscape: 7th Ave and 57th Street (World Premiere; ACO Commission, developed via EarShot CoLABoratory) @jessiemontgomerymusic , Procession for solo percussionist and Orchestra (NY Premiere) Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, dreams, and family histories with us over the past year. It was an honor to bring them to life and to meet so many of you in person for the first time. We appreciate your curiosity, imagination, and support. You play a vital role in advancing this art form. American Composers Orchestra was supported by @NewMusicUSA ’s Organization Fund in 2025-26

FREE WEBINAR - Onstage Do’s and Do’s: Rehearsal Techniques and Procedures Staff Moderator: @robkrafael Featured Speakers: @jimmylopezmusic , @kyledicksonconductor 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST Receiving a performance by an orchestra isn’t the end of the road for a composer—it’s the beginning of an ongoing artistic relationship. In this webinar, composer @jimmylopezmusic and conductor @kyledicksonconductor join us to explore how composers can navigate the rehearsal room with clarity, confidence, and collaboration. Together, we’ll discuss practical rehearsal techniques, effective communication strategies, and how composers can meaningfully engage conductors, orchestras, and musicians throughout the rehearsal process to build lasting partnerships. 🔗 in bio for registration!

From saffron to cerulean blue, every color has a story. Exploring a rainbow of sounds, @stacygarrop ’s CHROMA had a vibrant world premiere last week by @indychamberorch and music director Matthew Kraemer. The piece was commissioned by the @virginiabtoulmin Orchestral Commissions Program, an initiative of the League of American Orchestras in partnership with the @amercomporch (ACO). Photo credit: Dominique M. White