League Forward: November 2025
Dear Friends,
As we approach Thanksgiving, I am feeling incredibly grateful for the people and orchestras whose dedication and artistry make our field so extraordinary. This fall, I have had the privilege of visiting several orchestras across the country and I continue to be inspired by the creativity and innovation taking place throughout our field, despite the many uncertainties of the current time. Each orchestra, in its unique way, strengthens our collective work and helps keep orchestral music vibrant and relevant in today’s world.
These visits are also a powerful reminder of why the League’s work is so vital. Through your support, the League connects orchestras and all those who work within and around them—fostering shared learning, collaboration, and a sense of common purpose that helps our field learn, adapt, and move forward together. I am pleased to share highlights of the League’s most recent work in support of the artform we all love—from national advocacy in Washington, D.C. to initiatives strengthening orchestras and the communities they serve.
A new Administration always brings a certain amount of change, but the scope and pace of activity since January has been particularly intense. From executive orders to changes in tax and visa policies, the League’s D.C. team has been hard at work keeping members informed via policy newsletters, webinars, peer calls, and in direct email correspondence. Alongside our counterparts in the arts and humanities, we are interpreting new guidance, strategizing how to maintain support for the arts, and continuing to equip orchestras with new resources for navigating the changing landscape.
The League’s most recent Donor Town Hall offered an inspiring look at the intersection of popular and orchestral music, featuring Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, composer, and longtime arts advocate Ben Folds in conversation with Alan Valentine, League board member and President & CEO of the Nashville Symphony. Together, they explored Ben’s lifelong love of orchestras, his passion for supporting the arts, and the magic that happens when orchestral and popular music come together. If you weren’t able to join us live, you can watch a short video clip (password ORCH2025OCTTH) to enjoy some of the most memorable moments from this engaging discussion.
This January, more than 100 orchestra executive directors will gather in New York City for Midwinter Managers Meeting—a favorite opportunity to learn, connect, and share ideas. Our featured speaker this year is Laura MacDonald, President of Benefactor Group and one of the nation’s leading experts on fundraising and philanthropy. Laura will take us inside The State of Philanthropy, sharing data-driven insights, emerging trends, and real-world strategies to help orchestra leaders adapt, stay resilient, and inspire giving in today’s evolving landscape.
We’re excited to launch a brand-new professional development series from the League—Orchestra Intensives. These four-day, deep-dive programs are designed to help orchestra professionals strengthen their skills and expand their knowledge in key areas of orchestra administration. Applications are now open for the first in the series, the Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive, made possible through the generous support of The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc.
This year marks 50 years of the League’s Youth Orchestra Division (YOD)—five decades of championing youth orchestras as vital cultural assets that nurture talent and enrich communities. To celebrate, the League is launching Composing Our Tomorrow, a nationwide initiative empowering youth orchestras across the country to commission, perform, and share new works. Also, in honor of the volunteer leader who helped shape the YOD from the very beginning, we are introducing the inaugural Betty Utter Community Impact Award, and inviting each youth orchestra to recognize their own “Betty Utter”—a local changemaker who has made an extraordinary impact on their community.
The League’s 2026 Conference plans are underway! Member pre-sale opens in late November with the launch of Destination Baltimore. We know our delegates will love Baltimore’s historic charm and eclectic arts culture, and we’re looking forward to a great turnout. Our thanks go out to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for serving as gracious and supportive hosts. Destination Baltimore pre-sale runs through January 8—hope to see you there!
Thank you for your continued support and your belief in the transformative power of orchestras.
With gratitude,
Simon Woods
President and CEO
League of American Orchestras
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