League of American Orchestras, in Partnership with American Composers Orchestra, Announces Third Orchestra Consortium and New Repeat Performance Initiative

Significant Enhancements to the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program Include Concert-Length Commissioned Works and Repeat Performances of all 16 Toulmin Commissions from 2014-2019

25 Orchestras to Perform Works by 17 Composers through the 2026-27 season

New York, NY (March 13, 2025) – The League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO), has established its third national consortium and made significant enhancements to Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, the organizations announced today. The program is designed to increase the representation of women and nonbinary composers on the stages of American orchestras. Three composers will receive commissions for full-length concert works, to be performed by a consortium of nine orchestras, and a new initiative will focus on repeat performances, featuring a new roster of orchestras performing 16 previously premiered works by women and nonbinary composers. Between the new consortium and repeat performance initiative, 25 orchestras in total will perform works by 17 composers through the 2026-27 season.

“On the tenth anniversary of this career-changing program, we can draw a throughline from participation in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program to career development, an increased profile in the orchestra field, and additional commissions,” said League of American Orchestras President and CEO, Simon Woods. “We’re so grateful to the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation for its vision and support, as well as to the composers, orchestra artistic personnel, and media who have made the case for expanding the commissions to full-length concert works while ensuring these musical works continue to resonate well after their initial performances.”

“Over the last two years, we have been thrilled to expand the Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions program to a consortium model, greatly amplifying the artistic and career outcomes for participating composers,” said Melissa Ngan, President & CEO, American Composers Orchestra. “This year’s program facilitates repeat performances for every one of the 16 composers who received commissions prior to this expansion, while awarding new commissions for substantial new works for orchestras to three composer/orchestra pairs, continuing relationships cultivated in previous years. The opportunity to workshop new musical ideas with each of the three lead orchestras in advance of the premieres is invaluable, and advances the creativity and risk-taking that is essential to the creation of boundlessly beautiful work.” 

“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. “Mrs. Toulmin was a passionate supporter of both of equality and fairness for women, and of the performing arts, and this program has proven to further the careers of women and non-binary composers and to enhance the repertoire of orchestral music. Ever since our first grant to the League in 2012, the Foundation has been in the forefront of supporting women composers and is the only foundation in the performing arts dedicated exclusively to advancing and leveling the playing field for women and nonbinary creative artists.”

New Nine-Orchestra Consortium:

Composers Stacy Garrop, Angel Lam, and Leanna Primiani will each receive commissions for a 25- to 30-minute concert work, to be premiered by a lead orchestra with additional performances by two orchestras in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons:

• Stacy Garrop and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (IN) (lead orchestra); Johnstown Symphony Orchestra (PA); Lexington Philharmonic (KY)
• Angel Lam and Quad City Symphony Orchestra (IA) (lead orchestra); Columbus Symphony (OH); Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (GA)
• Leanna Primiani and ROCO (TX) (lead orchestra); Symphony of the Rockies (CO); Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WV)

16-Orchestra Repeat Performance Initiative:

A new repeat performances initiative will feature performances of commissioned works by all 16 composers from the program’s initial years (2014-2019, pre-consortium), to take place in the 2025-26 or 2026-27 seasons:

• Julia Adolphe Unearth Release (Concerto for Viola and Orchestra) – Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra (NE) (World premiere by the New York Philharmonic in 2016)
• Courtney Bryan Rejoice – Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (OH) (World premiere by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019)
• Cindy Cox Dreaming a world’s edge – North Corner Chamber Orchestra (WA) (World premiere by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2022)
• Melody Eötvös Red Dirt | Silver Rain – Stanford Symphony Orchestra (CA) (World premiere by American Composers Orchestra in 2015)
• Stacy Garrop Goddess Triptych – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (World premiere by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 2022)
• Robin Holcomb No Thing Lives to Itself – Central Ohio Symphony (World premiere by the Portland Symphony Orchestra (ME) in 2020)
• Niloufar Iravani Reflections – Valdosta Symphony Orchestra (GA) (World premiere by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in 2023)
• Chen-Hui Jen in eternal dusk – The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (MN) (World premiere by the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra in 2018)
• Wang Jie The Winter that United Us – Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (NY) (World premiere by the Buffalo Philharmonic in 2022)
• Han Lash Double Concerto for Piano, Harp, and Orchestra – Jacksonville Symphony (FL) (World premiere by the Naples Philharmonic in 2019)
• Fang Man Song of the Flaming Phoenix (Symphonic Poem for Sheng and Large Orchestra) – Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (World premiere by the San Francisco Symphony in 2022)
• Andreia Pinto Correia Ciprés – Princeton Symphony Orchestra (NJ) (World premiere by the Columbus Symphony in 2018)
• Leanna Primiani Neither Man Nor Money Validate My Worth – Seattle Collaborative Orchestra (WA) (World premiere by ROCO in 2022)
• Hilary Purrington Words for departure – Mankato Symphony Orchestra (MN) (World premiere by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 2022)
• Andrea Reinkemeyer Water Sings Fire – Greenville Symphony (SC) (World premiere by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019)
• Xi Wang Lotus Prayer – Westerville Symphony (OH) (World premiere by Berkeley Symphony in 2023)

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 this year in Salt Lake City, June 11-13, 2025. Orchestras participating in the consortium demonstrate a commitment to engaging the composers in rehearsals, networking opportunities, and education or community engagement activities, and 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.