About

ACO is proud to offer commissions to composers who have both participated in EarShot programs (including EarShot Readings and/or CoLABoratory), in addition to composers who have a vision for and desire to write compositions that shift the status quo of American orchestral music. ACO offers commissions on a semi-annual basis by invitation and by recommendation. In addition to offering commissions, ACO utilizes its national network of orchestral partners to build consortia around commissioned works, giving composers the opportunity to connect with ensembles and audiences across the United States.

In addition to offering its own commissions, ACO is also proud to offer commissions through its facilitation of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program (formerly the Women Composers Readings and Commissions program). The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned by the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced, with more than eighty orchestras applying for the additional twenty-four spots.

This program is an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Recipients are selected from women and non-binary composers who have participated in EarShot Readings. Since its inception in 2014, the Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions Program has commissioned 22 new works.