League of American Orchestras, in Partnership with American Composers Orchestra, Announces Newest Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program Consortium

30 Orchestras to Perform New Works by Six Women and Nonbinary Composers, Through 2028-29

New York, NY (October 27, 2026) – The League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO), has established its fourth national consortium through the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, the organizations announced today. In existence for more than a decade, the program seeks to increase the programming of works by women and nonbinary composers on orchestra stages. Six composers will receive commissions for new works, which will be premiered by a total of 30 orchestras over the next three years.

Composers Ahmed Al Abaca, Marie A. Douglas, Roshanne Etezady, Grace Ann Lee, Alyssa Regent, and Shelley Washington will each receive commissions for a 5- to 8-minute work to be premiered by a lead orchestra, with additional performances by four orchestras in the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.

The participating orchestras, with their commissioned composers, are (orchestras performing the world premiere in bold):

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (GA) – Alyssa Regent
• Auburn Symphony Orchestra (WA) – Shelley Washington
• Austin Symphony Orchestra (TX) – Ahmed Al Abaca
• Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (NY) – Roshanne Etezady
• Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra (IL) – Marie A. Douglas
• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (OH) – Grace Ann Lee
• Columbus Symphony (OH) – Marie A. Douglas
• Dallas Symphony Orchestra (TX) – Shelley Washington
• Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (CT) – Roshanne Etezady
• Fresno Philharmonic (CA) – Marie A. Douglas
• Furman Symphony Orchestra (SC) – Alyssa Regent
• Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra (CO) – Ahmed Al Abaca
• Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HI) – Grace Ann Lee
• Jacksonville Symphony (FL) – Ahmed Al Abaca
• Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (TN) – Roshanne Etezady
• Lexington Philharmonic (KY) – Shelley Washington
• Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LA) – Ahmed Al Abaca
• Madison Symphony Orchestra (WI) – Grace Ann Lee
• Minnesota Orchestra (MN) – Shelley Washington
• Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra (TN) – Marie A. Douglas
• NEPA Philharmonic (PA) – Shelley Washington
• New Jersey Symphony (NJ) – Roshanne Etezady
• Ocala Symphony (FL) – Grace Ann Lee
• Olympia Symphony Orchestra (WA) – Roshanne Etezady
• Quad City Symphony (IA) – Alyssa Regent
• Reno Philharmonic (NV) – Marie A. Douglas
• Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra (NY) – Ahmed Al Abaca
• Tucson Symphony Orchestra (AZ) – Alyssa Regent
• Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VT) – Grace Ann Lee
• Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WV) – Alyssa Regent

“For over ten years, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation has supported excellent women and nonbinary composers,” said Simon Woods, League President and CEO. “The enthusiasm of the orchestra field, the impact on the composers, and the overwhelmingly positive response from audiences are a testament to the power and importance of nurturing a living, breathing, and evolving orchestral canon.”

“We are deeply grateful to the thirty orchestras that have partnered with us to provide such an incredible platform for this cohort of visionary composers,” added Melissa Ngan, ACO President and CEO. “The significance of having five performances of a new work at such an important moment in these artists’ careers cannot be overstated, and we know that each of them will form meaningful relationships on and off the stage in cities across the country as a result of this high-impact program.”

“The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with the League of American Orchestras and American Composers Orchestra to increase the performance of orchestral works by women and nonbinary composers,” said Alexander Sanger, Trustee of the Foundation. “American audiences deserve to hear a wide variety of music composed by American composers, and these composers deserve to have the opportunity to bring their music to listeners who have not before heard them. American music and the culture at large are enriched, and the careers of emerging composers launched and enhanced.”

The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program is an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Since its inception in 2014, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program has commissioned thirty-seven works from thirty-four women and nonbinary composers, many of whom have since received additional commissions from America’s orchestras. The program began with the awarding of two annual commissions, quickly increased to three, and then, in 2022, the first of the three national consortiums was formed. A repeat performance initiative was launched in 2025, with sixteen orchestras performing previously commissioned works from 2014-19.

Networking, mentoring, career development, and community engagement opportunities are built into the program, and the composer cohort meets annually at the League’s National Conference, taking place next year in Atlanta, June 2-4, 2027. Orchestras participating in the consortium demonstrate a commitment to engaging the composers in rehearsals, networking opportunities, and education or community engagement activities. Participating orchestras receive funds for marketing efforts and to support composer attendance at performances and local educational and community events.

The Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions Program is linked to EarShot, an initiative of American Composers Orchestra in collaboration with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. Commission recipients are selected from composers who have participated in EarShot reading sessions.

Read more about the composers on the League’s website.