Each season, ACO presents a series of digital professional development sessions led by composer mentors and industry leaders. An evolving resource for composers at all stages of their careers, sessions have covered topics including orchestration, networking, publishing, copyright, orchestra unions, media rights, fundraising, public speaking, educational program design, and more.

Composing the Future: Engaging Schools and Students as a Composer

April 24, 2024
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Featuring Speakers: Charlie Ortiz and Melissa Ngan


New music isn't just for adults - a growing population of grade school students are also pushing the boundaries of music creation. Charlie Ortiz, Executive Director of WHIN Music Community Charter School, will join Melissa Ngan to offer insights on successful collaboration between composers, teachers, and students.

Tricks of the Trade: Orchestration Workshop

April 8, 2024
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Featuring Speakers: Curtis Stewart and Loki Karuna

Dive into the world of orchestration with ACO Artistic Director Curtis Stewart in the webinar, "Tricks of the Trade: Orchestration Workshop." Explore key aspects of orchestration, part writing, and more as Curtis guides you through the musical canon and shares how he breathes new life into classical works, for today's audiences.This annual session, made possible by the Steven R. Gerber Trust, is inspired by Steven's insightful "Tricks of the Trade" article. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your musical skills!

Helping Hands: Traversing Artist Management

April 4, 2024
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Featured Speakers: Peggy Monastra and Melissa Ngan

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.

Put Me On: Commissions and Consortia Workshop

February 27, 2024
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Featured Speakers: Melissa Ngan and Vanessa Rose

Being a part of a consortium is not only artistically beneficial to composers, but financially beneficial as well! In this session, Melissa Ngan will unpack some of the need-to-know information surrounding orchestral commissions and the creation of consortia for composers.

Onstage Do’s and Do’s: Rehearsal Techniques and Procedures

February 6, 2024
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Transcript
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Featured Speakers: Tito Muñoz and Adam Schoenberg

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.