Press Releases

League Appoints Marlah Bonner-McDuffie as Vice President, Development

New York, NY (September 15, 2020) – The League of American Orchestras has appointed Marlah Bonner-McDuffie to the position of Vice President, Development, League President and CEO Simon Woods announced today. The executive-level position provides overall leadership to all League development initiatives. (Read entire release)

Eighteen U.S. Orchestras and Youth Orchestras Receive $30,000 Grants from the League of American Orchestras American Orchestras’ Futures Fund to Advance Innovation

New York, NY (August 13, 2020) – Eighteen orchestras and youth orchestras have received grants of $30,000 each to spark a culture of innovation and learning in U.S. orchestras. Created by the League of American Orchestras to support a variety of forward-thinking and experimental projects, the two-year American Orchestras’ Futures Fund grants, made possible by the generous support of the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, focus on artistic vibrancy, civic engagement, and organizational vitality. (Read entire release)

Composers Niloufar Iravani, Leanna Primiani, and Hilary Purrington to Receive $15,000 Women Composers Commissions from the League of American Orchestras

New York, NY (July 9, 2020) – Composers Niloufar Iravani, Leanna Primiani, and Hilary Purrington will each receive orchestral commissions of $15,000 as part of the Women Composers Readings and Commissions program, an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. (Read entire release)

League of American Orchestras to Honor American Composers Forum and New Music USA with Its Highest Honor, the Gold Baton, at Online Conference Finale Friday, June 12 at 1 p.m. EDT

New York, NY (June 11, 2020) – The American Composers Forum (ACF) and New Music USA will jointly receive the League of American Orchestras’ highest honor, the Gold Baton, the League announced today. ACF President and CEO Vanessa Rose and New Music USA President and CEO Vanessa Reed will accept the awards on behalf of their respective organizations at the League’s online Conference Finale on Friday, June 12, from 1:00-2:30pm EDT. (Read entire release)

28 U.S. Orchestras to Receive Catalyst Fund Grants from League of American Orchestras To Advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Within Their Organizations

New York, NY (June 4, 2020) – The League of American Orchestras has awarded grants to twenty-eight U.S. orchestras to strengthen their understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and to help transform organizational culture. Ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 each, the one-year grants comprise the second round of The Catalyst Fund, the League’s three-year, $2.1 million grant-making program, made possible by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation with additional support from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation. (Read entire release)

League of American Orchestras Announces Online National Conference

New York, NY (April 30, 2020)—The League of American Orchestras National Conference, Global Stages, Local Stories, has been transformed into an extended online event, the League announced today. Taking place from May 5-June 12, the Conference will be free of charge for all League members. (Read entire release)

League of American Orchestras Unveils Symphony Spot, New Online Source for Orchestra Livestreams, Videos, and Educational Resources During COVID-19 Pandemic

New York, NY (April 14, 2020) – As concert halls across the country go dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic, orchestras have given hope and solace to a quarantined public by making an unprecedented number of online performances and educational resources available free of charge. The League of American Orchestras has now created Symphony Spot (symphonyspot.org), a one-stop hub of orchestra livestreams, videos, and digital learning events from more than 100 members and friends of the League. (Read entire release)

Simon Woods Appointed President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras

New York, NY (April 3, 2020)—The League of American Orchestras announced today that Simon Woods, a highly experienced and forward-looking leader in the orchestral field, has been named President and CEO of the League, effective September 1, 2020. (Read entire release)

Charles Dickerson III, Jerrold Eberhardt, Mary Louise Gorno, Jennifer Koh, Isaac Thompson, and Sheila Williams Join League of American Orchestras’ Board of Directors

New York, NY (November 7, 2019) – Charles Dickerson III, Jerrold Eberhardt, Mary Louise Gorno, Jennifer Koh, Isaac Thompson, and Sheila Williams have joined the League of American Orchestras’ Board of Directors, the League announced today. Each will serve three-year terms.

Twelve Orchestra Professionals from Across the U.S. Selected for League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program

New York, NY (October 31, 2019) – Twelve orchestra professionals will participate in the League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program, the field’s prime source for identifying and cultivating the leadership potential of talented orchestra professionals.

Nineteen U.S. Orchestras Receive Grants from the League of American Orchestras’ American Orchestras’ Futures Fund to Support Array of Bold Initiatives

New York, NY (July 11, 2019) – Nineteen U.S. orchestras have received grants from the League of American Orchestras to support innovation and organizational learning. The two-year American Orchestras’ Future Fund grants, in the amount of $80,000–$150,000 each, are made possible by the generous support of the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.

Essentials of Orchestra Management, League’s Premier Orchestra Management Seminar for Future Leaders, Opens July 8 in Los Angeles

New York, NY (July 8, 2019) – Essentials of Orchestra Management, the League of American Orchestras’ premier educational course for preparing early career orchestra professionals to be effective and innovative administrators and leaders, runs from July 8-18 in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California campus. To many, the 10-day seminar represents the gold standard of orchestra management training, offering a powerful management curriculum and providing the cohort of 35 participants an invaluable career network for the future.

Jesse Rosen, League of American Orchestras’ President and CEO, to Retire in September 2020

New York, NY (June 4, 2019) – The League of American Orchestras announced today that Jesse Rosen, President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, has extended his contract through September 2020, at which time he will retire from the League.

23 Orchestras Receive Grants From the League of American Orchestras’ Catalyst Fund to Advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Their Organizations

New York, NY (May 23, 2019) –The League of American Orchestras has awarded grants to twenty-three U.S. orchestras to help deepen understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), improve practice, and strengthen organizational culture. Ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 each, the one-year grants comprise the first round of The Catalyst Fund, the League’s new three-year, $2.1 million grant-making program made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Two Concerts at League’s National Conference, MUSIC CentriCITY, Highlight Orchestras’ Commitment to Innovative Programming, Collective Action, and Topical New Works

New York, NY (May 16, 2019) – Two concerts taking place during the League of American Orchestras’ 74th National Conference in Nashville (June 3-5) illustrate orchestras’ increasingly innovative programming, including poignant new works based on topical events that edge towards social justice.

Five Orchestra Musicians to Receive Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service from League of American Orchestras

New York, NY (May 9, 2019) – Five orchestra musicians will receive Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service from the League of American Orchestras at the League’s 74th National Conference in Nashville, June 3-5, 2019. The awards, supported by Ford Motor Company Fund, celebrate professional orchestra musicians who provide exemplary service in their communities and make a significant impact through education and community engagement.

League of American Orchestras’ 74th National Conference in Nashville Centers Around Music, Musicians, and Community

New York, NY (April 16, 2019) – The League of American Orchestras’ 74th National Conference, in Nashville, June 3-5, 2019, will place music, musicians, and community at the heart of its programming. MUSIC CentriCITY will highlight field-wide advances in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and focus on the centrality of music, culture, and collective action in orchestras.

Composers Courtney Bryan, Cindy Cox, and Fang Man to Receive $15,000 Women Composers Commissions from the League of American Orchestras

New York, NY (February 28, 2019) – Composers Courtney Bryan, Cindy Cox, and Fang Man will each receive orchestral commissions of $15,000 as part of the 2018 Women Composers Readings and Commissions program, an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

League of American Orchestras to Honor Renowned Composer Joan Tower with Its Highest Honor, the Gold Baton, at 74th National Conference in Nashville

New York, NY (February 26, 2019) – Composer Joan Tower, one of America’s most significant living composers, will receive the League of American Orchestras’ highest honor, the Gold Baton, at the League’s 74th National Conference in Nashville, June 3-5, 2019.

League of American Orchestras Launches The Catalyst Fund Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Orchestras

New York, NY (January 9, 2019) –The League of American Orchestras announced today the launch of The Catalyst Fund, a three-year pilot program of annual grants to adult and youth orchestras that aims to advance their understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and to foster effective EDI practices. The Catalyst Fund is supported by a three-year, $2.1 million grant to the League from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Twelve Orchestra Professionals Selected for League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program

New York, NY (October 11, 2018) – Twelve orchestra professionals will participate in the League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program, the field’s prime source for identifying and cultivating the leadership potential of talented orchestra professionals.

League of American Orchestras Announces New Appointments to Board of Directors

New York, NY (August 2, 2018) – Alan Mason, Jennifer Mondie, Trine Sorensen, and Alan D. Valentine have been appointed to the League of American Orchestras’ Board of Directors. The League is a membership organization comprised of more than 2,000 orchestras and individuals from across North America.

League of American Orchestras’ Ten-Day Immersive Seminar Essentials of Orchestra Management To Take Place July 16-26, 2018 in Los Angeles

New York, NY (June 6, 2018) – Thirty-four orchestra executives, administrators, musicians, students, and career changers from across the country will participate in the League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management program in Los Angeles, July 16-26. The ten-day immersive seminar, taking place on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC), develops the careers of orchestra managers, providing an in-depth overview of orchestra administration and offering participants the unique opportunity to learn from a faculty of orchestra executives, musicians, and leadership experts.

National Alliance for Audition Support to Launch with Three-Day Audition Intensive June 6-8 at New World Center

New York, NY (May 24, 2018) – The National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) will launch its first activities aimed at increasing diversity in American orchestras with a three-day Audition Intensive, June 6-8 at the New World Center in Miami Beach, FL. Eighteen pre-to-early professional Black and Latinx string musicians have been selected by The Sphinx Organization to participate in the three-day Intensive.

Five Orchestra Musicians to Receive Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service from League of American Orchestras

New York, NY (May 17, 2018) – Five orchestra musicians will receive Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service from the League of American Orchestras at the League’s 73rd National Conference in Chicago, June 13-15, 2018. Recognizing the transformative power of music, the Awards honor those in the orchestra field who employ music for the benefit of the greater community.

League of American Orchestras’ 73rd National Conference in Chicago Creating the Greatest Impact June 13-15, 2018

New York, NY (May 10, 2018) – The League of American Orchestras’ 73rd National Conference in Chicago, June 13-15, 2018, will offer a particular focus on the voices of musicians—many Chicago-based—both in performance and as session speakers.

Composers Stacy Garrop, Robin Holcomb, and Andrea Reinkemeyer to Receive $15,000 Women Composers Commissions from the League of American Orchestras

New York, NY (May 3, 2018) – Composers Stacy Garrop, Robin Holcomb, and Andrea Reinkemeyer will each receive orchestral commissions of $15,000 as part of the League of American Orchestras’ 2017 Women Composers Readings and Commissions program, which is administered by American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Symphony Magazine Spring 2018 Issue

New York, NY (May 1, 2018) – The new issue of Symphony examines how tech in the concert hall and crowdsourced symphonies are rewriting the rules for orchestras. The League of American Orchestras’ award-winning magazine also reveals how League-led efforts addressed environmental concerns about endangered species while helping to smooth the way for travel with musical instruments, and it offers a frank analysis of how nonprofit boards can respond to allegations of sexual misconduct.

League of American Orchestras American Orchestras’ Futures Fund Highlights Array of Inventive Programs Taking Place at Smaller-Budget Orchestras and Youth Orchestras

New York, NY (April 19, 2018) – Highlighting the groundswell of innovation occurring at smaller-budget orchestras and youth orchestras across the country, seventeen orchestras have received $30,000 American Orchestras’ Futures Fund grants from the League of American Orchestras, made possible with the generous support of the Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation. An additional five orchestras were selected to receive seed grants of $6,000 each.

Three National Organizations Join Forces to Increase Diversity in American Orchestras

New York, NY (April 18, 2018) – Three national organizations – The Sphinx Organization, New World Symphony, and the League of American Orchestras – have partnered to create the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), a field-wide initiative with the long-term goal of increasing diversity in American orchestras.

Six Conductors Selected to Lead the Nashville Symphony at the League of American Orchestras 2018 Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview

New York, NY (February 15, 2018) – Six highly-skilled and dynamic conductors have been selected to participate in the League of American Orchestras Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview, April 3-4, 2018 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The League’s two-day showcase is one of the field’s most prestigious pathways for orchestra search committees to encounter new talent as they meet the conductors, observe them in rehearsal settings, and experience their high-caliber artistry in person.

New in Symphony Magazine’s Winter 2017 Issue

New York, NY (November 20, 2017) – The Fall 2017 issue of Symphony documents where orchestras are today—and where they may be heading—with articles about the expansive growth in the ways that orchestras are connecting with their communities; first-person insights from musicians of color in an orchestral diversity fellowship; and the new advocacy roles for board members in a shifting policy landscape.