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.

Rehearsal Techniques Webinar: Onstage Do’s & Do’s

February 22, 2023
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Transcript
Transcript coming soon!

Featuring Speakers: Lina González-Granados and Nina Shekhar

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.

Additional Resources

SUMMARY Rehearsal Techniques WEBINAR

Orchestration Webinar: Tricks of the Trade with Melinda Wagner

February 1, 2023
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Transcript
Transcript coming soon!

Featured Speaker: Melinda Wagner

Celebrated as an “…eloquent, poetic voice in contemporary music…” [American Record Guide], Melinda Wagner’s esteemed catalog of works embodies music of exceptional beauty, power, and intelligence. She joins ACO to take musical works from the “canon” and use them as a guide for emerging composers to understand some of the important things to know about orchestration, part writing, and more. This session is inspired by composer Steven R. Gerber’s NewMusicBox article “Orchestration: Composers Reveal Tricks of the Trade.”

Additional Resources

ORCHESTRATION SAMPLE 1

ORCHESTRATION SAMPLE 2

ORCHESTRATION SAMPLE 3

ORCHESTRATION SAMPLE 4

Score & Part Preparation

January 25, 2023
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Transcript
Transcript coming soon!

Featuring Speakers: Manly Romero and Philip Rothman

The work of orchestra librarians often goes unnoticed, but preparing parts to be read by orchestral musicians is a vital part of the process. Manly Romero and Philip Rothman are experts in this aspect of musical performance, and join ACO in this webinar to help composers navigate the task of successful score and part preparation.

Additional Resources

MOLA-Guidelines-for-Music-Preparation

https://www.scoringnotes.com/tips/score-preparation-production-notes/

Self-Publishing Webinar: Pens, Printer Ink, and the Post Office

January 11, 2023
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Transcript
Transcript coming soon!

Featuring Speakers: Valerie Coleman and Jonathan Page

Valerie Coleman has quickly become one of America’s leading living composers, and couldn’t have done it without the help of her music publisher, Jonathan Page! He joins ACO in this webinar to offer insights on self-publishing as well as the ins and outs of the publishing process. Through his experiences as the co-president and manager of Valerie Coleman’s publishing company, VColeman Music, Jonathan Page will share an in-depth view into self-publishing and what it takes to launch and create a vehicle that provides sustainable distribution and revenue. Watch this webinar to learn how to get started in publishing your own music.

About Jonathan Page

Jonathan Page is Co-President and manager of VColeman Music, the publishing company that houses the sheet music, licensing, and rental catalog of composer Valerie Coleman. His former work in both Fortune 500 corporate finance, and music production informed his efforts in structuring a business model for the company, as it engages hundreds of presenting arts organizations yearly. Based in New York City, Jonathan is also a classically trained percussionist who received a degree in music industry from James Madison University, and for over two decades, he has explored the mediums of sound engineering, created a documentary on the life of Othello Wilson, and continues his work in mentoring emerging composers.

Additional Resources

Self-Publishing Overview + Additional Resources

Presentation Slides – Self Publishing Webinar

MOLA Guidelines for Music Preparation

Orchestra Unions 101

April 6, 2022
Additional resources
Transcript
Transcript coming soon!

Featuring Speakers: Joseph H. Kluger, Melissa Ngan, and Elena Dubinets

Arts consultant Joseph H. Kluger, ACO President Melissa Ngan, and Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Elena Dubinets present the basics of orchestra unions and answer attendee questions about common aspects of the union relating to orchestral composers.

Joseph H. Kluger, a Principal of WolfBrown, has over 30 years of experience as an arts and culture executive and consultant in strategic planning, organizational collaboration, facilities development, governance, executive coaching, executive compensation and succession planning projects for nonprofit museums, theaters, opera companies, symphony orchestras, performing arts centers, and arts education institutions.

A high-profile artistic leader and music scholar, Elena Dubinets was appointed Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from September 2021, having previously held top artistic planning positions at the Atlanta and Seattle symphony orchestras. In 2018 she was named one of Musical America’s Professionals of the Year. Serving the wider music community, she has held appointments on the Recording Academy Board of Directors and as Chair of the City of Seattle Music Commission.


Additional Resources

Orchestra Unions 101 Slides