American Composers Orchestra (ACO), founded in 1977, is dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. With a commitment to diversity, disruption, and discovery, ACO produces concerts, middle school through college composer education programs, and composer advancement programs to foster a community of creators, audiences, performers, collaborators, and funders. 

American Composers Orchestra (ACO) has premiered works by 800 American composers, including over 350 world premieres and commissioned works. These recordings are available on platforms like ARGO, CRI, ECM, and Nonesuch.
Since 1991, ACO’s EarShot has offered new music Readings in NYC, expanding to national Readings in partnership with orchestras nationwide. EarShot has included the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute, CoLABoratory, Pathways, and more. Composers who participated in Readings have won prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer, Grammy, and more.
EarShot now includes orchestral readings, CoLABoratory fellowships, consortium commissions, professional development, commissioning/consortia, and, starting in 2023, publishing. EarShot's goal is to broaden the definition and role of the composer and build replicable models for co-created projects between composers, artists, and community partners.
ACO's Sonic Spark program has brought composers and musical teaching artists into NYC public schools since 1999, using composition to foster student creativity and achievement. ACO has received awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, BMI, and ASCAP.

Education

Music

Performing Arts

American Composers Orchestra

Melissa Ngan

Lisa Washburn

Tess Mateo

Marilyn Go

Kevin James

Karen Slack

Jane Cavalier

Geoffroy Van Raemdonck

Derek Bermel

Deborah Sherman

Benjamin Hildner

Atif Bhanjee

André J. Washington

The Education and Program Development team at American Composers Orchestra (ACO) is responsible for designing and implementing educational initiatives and composer advancement programs. This team develops curricula for school programs, facilitates professional development for composers, and organizes events like the EarShot Readings. Through initiatives such as Sonic Spark, they bring composers and teaching artists into NYC public schools to foster student creativity and achievement. The team also builds partnerships with community organizations to drive co-created projects and support the broader mission of ACO.

Education and Program Development

Directors

Education and Program Development

About

Team members

Other teams at American Composers Orchestra

Directors