Performances
& Events

January
2026
26
7:00 pm

January 26-30, 2026

EarShot Readings: Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra

Appleton, WI

TBD, Conductor

Featured Artists and Works TBD

Mentor Composers:

Joanne Metcalf  

Asha Srinivasan

Marcos Balter

January 26-30, 2026

EarShot Readings: Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra

Appleton, WI

TBD, Conductor

Featured Artists and Works TBD

Mentor Composers:

Joanne Metcalf  

Asha Srinivasan

Marcos Balter

Appleton
,
Wisconsin
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Based on the 2007 novel Fellow Travelers by Thomas MallonFellow Travelers was developed through “Opera Fusion: New Works,” a joint venture between Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, made possible by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; a residency at the MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, NH; and a residency at the Copland House, Cortlandt Manor, NY, as a recipient of the Copland House Residency Award.Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, sole U.S. and Canadian agent for Schott Helicon Music Corporation, New York, publisher and copyright owner.New York PremiereFELLOW TRAVELERSCOMPOSER Gregory SpearsLIBRETTIST Greg PierceDIRECTED BY Kevin NewburyCONDUCTED BY George ManahanEXECUTIVE PRODUCER G. Sterling ZinsmeyerSCENIC DESIGNER: Victoria "Vita" TzykunLIGHTING DESIGNER: Thomas C. HaseCOSTUME DESIGNER: Paul CareyHAIR AND MAKEUP DESIGNER: Anne Ford-CoatesGENERAL MANAGER: Amanda CooperPRODUCTION MANAGER: Carly LevinCINCINNATI OPERA PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Glenn PlottSTAGE MANAGER: Constance Dubinski GrubbsFEATURING:Aaron Blake as TIMOTHY LAUGHLINJoseph Lattanzi as HAWKINS FULLERDevon Guthrie as MARY JOHNSONVernon Hartman as SENATOR POTTER & BARTENDERMarcus DeLoach as ESTONIAN FRANK, INTERROGATOR, & SENATOR McCARTHYChristian Pursell as POTTER'S ASSISTANT, BOOKSELLER, & PRIESTPaul Scholten as TOMMY McINTYREAlexandra Schoeny as MISS LIGHTFOOTCecilia Violetta López as LUCYWITH American Composers OrchestraA Cincinnati Opera ProductionDeveloped and Co-Commissioned by G. Sterling Zinsmeyer and Cincinnati OperaCo-presented with John Jay College of Criminal Justice and American Composers OrchestraAdditional Billing & Special ThanksASSOCIATE DIRECTOR:Marcus ShieldsASSISTANT CONDUCTOR:Braden ToanASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER:Madeleine PritnerASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGNER:Joe BeumerCOSTUME COORDINATOR/WARDROBE HEAD:Victoria BekHAIR AND MAKEUP ASSISTANT:Ali PohankaASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS:Skye Cone & Hayley HuntSUPERTITLE OPERATOR:Heather O'DonovanREHEARSAL PIANISTS:David Sytkowski &Andrew SunAMERICAN COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA:Eva Gruesser - The Roger Sessions Chair,Robert Chausow, Sander Strenger,Michael Roth, Deborah Wong,Martin Agee, violinVeronica Salas & Sandra Robbins, violaGene Moye - The Virgil Thomson Chair& Jeanne Leblanc, celloGail Kruvand, bassLaura Conwesser, fluteMelanie Feld, oboeSteve Hartman, clarinetMike Seltzer, Dave Taylor, tromboneSteven Beck - The Thorne Family Chair, pianoJonathan Taylor, Personnel ManagerSPECIAL THANKS:The Fellow Travelers Company would like to extend their gratitude to Cincinnati Opera, for all their support and work in creating the world premiere, and subsequently this remount, in particular Patricia K. Beggs, Evans Miragus, Glenn Plott and Marcus Kuchle. Thank you to the Lynch theater staff, and all the amazing staff and interns for thePROTOTYPE Festival.This work would not exist without the incisive novel by Thomas Mallon, to whom we owe our un-ending appreciation. And this NYC Premiere would not have been possible without the support of our angel individual donors:Lead Supporters:Gale Family FoundationTed SnowdonSupporters:Susan BienkowskiChristine & Michael GarnerSherwin GoldmanJohn KanderDoug NevinThe Newburgh Institute for the Arts and IdeasJohn Pcsolar and Alan SandmanCarey Ramos & Coco BentleyThe Jill and William SteinbergFamily FoundationOpera In Europe LLCWyncote FoundationThe Andrew D. Zacks FoundationFELLOW TRAVELERS, SYNOPSISThe story takes place from September 1953 to May 1957 in Washington, D.C. Eisenhower is president. Senator Joseph McCarthy is stoking fears that the U.S. federal government is full of communists, Soviet spies, and homosexuals.ACT ONESCENE 1, PARK IN DUPONT CIRCLEA fledgling reporter, Timothy Laughlin, sits on a park bench reviewing his notes from McCarthy's wedding when he is approached by State Department employee Hawkins Fuller.SCENE 2, SENATOR CHARLES POTTER'S OFFICETimothy is hired as a speech writer for Senator Charles Potter, upon Hawkins’ recommendation. In Potter’s office, Timothy meets Tommy McIntyre who gives him unsolicited advice.SCENE 3, HAWKINS’S OFFICETimothy stops by Hawkins’ office to drop off a thank-you gift. He meets Hawkins’ assistant and best friend Mary and his secretary Miss Lightfoot, who mocks Timothy after he leaves.SCENE 4, TIMOTHY'S APARTMENTTimothy is at home cooking soup and writing his sister a letter when Hawkins unexpectedly stops by to tell him about the delights of Bermuda, among other things.SCENE 5, St. Peter's ChurchIn the afterglow of last night's encounter with Hawkins, Timothy is torn between his deep Catholicism and his blossoming passion.SCENE 6, The Hotel WashingtonAt a Christmas party, Timothy is approached by an Army general about enlisting; Mary warns Hawkins about his reckless behavior; McIntyre tells Potter about McCarthy’s latest troubles; Miss Lightfoot overhears an intimate exchange between Hawkins and Timothy.SCENE 7, Interrogation Room M304An interrogator puts Hawkins through a series of humiliating tests in an attempt to determine whether or not he is a homosexual.SCENE 8, TIMOTHY’S APARTMENTTimothy and Hawkins discuss the interrogation, McCarthy, and Hawkins’ secret amusements in New York City.ACT TWOSCENE 9, MCCARTHY’S OFFICESenator Potter warns McCarthy that the "Adams Chronology" (which details how Roy Cohn and McCarthy pressured the Army to give David Schine special treatment) will be his downfall unless he gives up Cohn.SCENE 10, MARY'S KITCHEN/TIMOTHY'S APARTMENTMary invites Timothy over to warn him of Hawkins' fickle nature when it comes to his love interests. She tells Timothy she is pregnant from a one-night stand. In Timothy's apartment, Hawkins rejoices that he's been cleared of allegations of homosexuality. Timothy is shocked by how Hawkins wants to celebrate.SCENE 11, ROOF OF THE OLD POST OFFICETimothy, in agony over his fraught relationship, tells Hawkins he’s decided to enlist in the Army.SCENE 12, HAWKINS’ OFFICEMary tells Hawkins she quits, as she can no longer work in an atmosphere of panic and persecution.SCENE 13, TIMOTHY IN FRANCE/ HAWKINS IN CHEVY CHASETimothy writes letters to Hawkins and Mary from France, where he’s been stationed. Hawkins is now married to a woman named Lucy but would clearly like to rekindle things with Timothy upon his return.SCENE 14, Brick HouseIn the brick house that Hawkins has rented for his afternoon flings with Timothy, Hawkins expresses that he cannot be the partner Timothy wants.SCENE 15, MARY'S KITCHEN/BRICK HOUSE/ROOM M304Mary is packing up her things when Hawkins stops by, confessing that he has given Timothy's name to those in charge of investigating alleged homosexuals. He asks Mary to tell Timothy about this betrayal in hopes that it will make Timothy hate him enough to fall out of love with him.SCENE 16, PARK IN DUPONT CIRCLEHis dreams dashed, Timothy decides to leave Washington D.C. and Hawkins Fuller for good.

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The ACO joins the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for their very first Earshot New Music Reading

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Welcome to American Composers Orchestra’s 40th Birthday Concert and Gala! For 40 years, ACO has dedicated itself to the creation, performance, and celebration of American music. Not only does ACO honor our legacy, but we take pride in finding and nurturing the next generation of creative artists through work with emerging composers both here in New York at the Underwood New Music Readings and nationally through EarShot. Working with emerging composers - both in our pre-professional platforms and through our education programs in our city’s public schools - gives us an opportunity to help define what it means to be American in 2017, embracing gender, ethnic, national and stylistic diversity and realizing the notion of “American” in the most inclusive way possible. Tonight’s program encapsulates how ACO defines its mission. With music by our recently passed and beloved founder Francis Thorne and by composer - and founder of National Sawdust - Paola Prestini, we pay tribute to two of our special honorees who have made the community of contemporary American music so strong. Ellington and the American songbook are represented and tip our hat to founder Francis Thorne’s love for this music. With Leonard Bernstein’s sonata orchestrated for large ensemble, we note the exciting season of Bernstein@100, celebrations taking place all over the world. And of course, it would not be an ACO concert without an exciting, new voice like Elizabeth Ogonek’s. In addition to Francis and Paola, ACO honors the Leonard Bernstein family - Alexander, Nina and Jamie Bernstein. Through their work in music education and by keeping alive the flame of their father’s genius, this trio of fantastic siblings have contributed enormously to the musical life of our city, our country, and the world. Ellen and James S. Marcus are among the most active cultural philanthropists in the country, and ACO has been blessed to be among the beneficiaries of their passion for the arts. Finally, along with the presence of Dennis Russell Davies on the podium tonight, we celebrate our founders by honoring not only Francis Thorne but also the extraordinary musician Paul Lustig Dunkel, ACO's long time Associate Conductor, an original member and co-founder with Dennis and Francis. Thank you to all for what they do to make our work possible. Please join us for other concerts this coming season which include a collaboration with the PROTOTYPE festival in January when we co-present the NY Premiere of Fellow Travelers by composer Gregory Spears and librettist Greg Pierce; our annual appearances at Zankel Hall where we will celebrate Philip Glass’ 80th birthday and play music by two younger composers who have benefited from his mentorship as well as featuring jazz and world music champions writing for orchestra; and of course, our annual Underwood New Music Readings where we discover where the next generation will take us. ACO extends a heartfelt thank you to its dedicated board, staff and musicians; to our cherished patrons for tonight’s event for their generous support; to our honorees; and most importantly, to you, our audience. We are a community of active listeners, supporters, creators and performers who share a passion for American orchestral music. The renewing and inspiring circle of energy created by all parts of this community is what makes our work exciting, adventurous and joyful. ACO is hard at work on a new strategic plan that will help us face the future with determination, rigor and amazing music. Stay tuned for the next 40 years and have a great time tonight! With gratitude and warmest wishes, Derek Bermel/Artistic Director George Manahan/Music Director Frederick Wertheim, Chairman Ed Yim/President

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The ACO and the Buffalo Philharmonic present the 2013 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute (JCOI) Earshot New Music Readings featuring the some of the country's most talented emerging American Jazz composers.

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The American Composers Orchestra hosts the 2016 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Readings.

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The ACO partners with the Pioneer Valley Symphony for their 2010 Earshot New Music Readings.

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The ACO partners with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for their first season of Earshot New Music Readings

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The ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2011 Earshot New Music Readings.

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The ACO partners with the San Diego Symphony for their 2012 Earshot New Music Readings

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ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for their 2014-15 Earshot New Music Readings

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ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2014-15 Earshot New Music Readings

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The ACO partners with the New York Philharmonic for their 2014 Earshot New Music Readings featuring American Composers.

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The ACO partners with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for their 2014 Earshot New Music readings titled "Classical Roots"

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The ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for a second time in 2014 for the Earshot New Music Readings.

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The ACO partners with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for a two part New Music readings with esteemed American composers. Composers not only get the opportunity to hear their works performed by a live orchestra, but they will revise their works for a second reading after two months.

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ACO partners with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for their 2015-16 Earshot New Music Readings

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ACO partners with the Naples Philharmonic for their 2015-16 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Earshot New Music Readings

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ACO partners with the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra for their 2016-17 Earshot New Music Readings

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Detroit, MI – On Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 1:30pm and Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11am, EarShot (the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network) and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), present the readings of new works by four emerging composers at Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center (3711 Woodward Avenue). The New Music Readings will be the culmination of a series of private readings, feedback sessions, and work with mentor composers Gabriela Lena Frank, Derek Bermel, DSO’s Classical Roots composer-in-residence Jonathan Bailey Holland, as well as conductor André Raphel. The selected composers and their works, chosen from a national call for scores that yielded 54 applicants, are Brian Nabors (Rise), Marian L. Harrison Stephens (Out of Kilter), Anthony Tidd (Sa & Alatangana), and Kerwin Young (American Caravan). In addition to the orchestral readings, the DSO EarShot residency includes a professional development component on building skills in education and community engagement. From March 1-4, participant composers will receive hands-on training, through collaboration with DSO Teaching Artists, guest composer Jessie Montgomery, and ACO Education Director Kevin James, to explore the basics of student engagement and will present composition basics to students in local public schools. All DSO EarShot activities occur during the DSO's annual Classical Roots presentation, which has celebrated the contributions of African-Americans to classical music for 41 years. More information is available here: www.dso.org/classicalroots. EarShot, an initiative of American Composers Orchestra (ACO) in partnership with American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA, is the nation’s first ongoing program for identifying and promoting the most promising orchestral composers on the national stage. ACO’s artistic and administrative staff collaborates with participating orchestras, assisting with planning, program design, and execution. EarShot residencies include mentorship from the most accomplished orchestral composers in the country, orchestra readings, and musician and conductor feedback sessions. The program is customized to each host orchestra’s aesthetic, demographic, community, and educational interests. Additional EarShot readings this season occurred with Grand Rapids Symphony (September 26-30, 2018) and are upcoming with Sarasota Orchestra (March 12-16, 2019) and American Composers Orchestra (Underwood New Music Readings, May 23-24, 2019).

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The American Composers Orchestra, partnered with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, meets for the 2016-17 season's Earshot New Music Readings.

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New York, NY – EarShot (the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network) announces ten emerging composerschosen from a national candidate pool to participate in New Music Readings presented by Fort Wayne Philharmonic,Charlotte Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony. The New Music Readings are the culmination of a series of privatereadings, feedback sessions, and work with mentor composers. EarShot is a partnership between American ComposersOrchestra, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA.The selected composers and compositions for Fort Wayne Philharmonic (February 7, 2018) are Nathan Kelly – Redwood,Sohwa Lee – Palindrome, and Robert Rankin –Nijinsky Dances; for Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (March 1, 2018) areNiloufar Iravani – Fantasy, Jihyun Kim – At Dawn, and Felipe Nieto – Artesania Sonora; and for Jacksonville Symphony(April 20, 2018) are Nicholas Bentz – E.W. Korngold Goes to Kikkatsu, Will Healy – Kolmanskop, Ursula Kwong-Brown –Night & Day, and Meng Wang – Blooming in the Long Dark Winter’s Night.EarShot enables connections between orchestras and emerging composers. Drawing from a national network of advisors andadvocates, EarShot works with orchestras around the country to identify and support promising composers in the early stages oftheir careers. Orchestras have relied on EarShot to advise them on commissions, competitions, and program design in addition toidentifying composers consistent with the orchestra’s artistic vision. EarShot residencies include established composermentorship, orchestra readings, and musician and conductor feedback sessions, and are customized to the orchestra’s aestheticand/or demographic interests and community and education activities.

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GrandRapids,MI–On Friday, September28, 2018 and Saturday, September29, 2018, EarShot (the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network), Art Prize, and the Grand Rapids Symphony present the readings of new works by four emerging composers at The Morton (55IoniaAveNW). The New Music Readings will be the culmination of a series of private readings, feedback sessions, and work with mentor composers Bright Sheng, David Biedenbender, and Margaret Brouwer. The selected composers, chosen from an international candidate pool of 159 applicants, are Emmanuel Berrido (Danza Ritual), Tyler Eschendal (Zarathustra Mixtape), Jiyoung Ko (Remembrances) ,and Daniel Leo (Blowing Mad Clouds).

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(Philadelphia, August 16, 2018)—The Philadelphia Orchestra and American Composers Orchestra (ACO) will partner for a one-day showcase on September 6, 2018, during which the Orchestra will rehearse works by six women composers as part of a collaborative working session. The selected composers, all of whom have been commissioned previously through ACO’s programs, will have their works read and recorded by The Philadelphia Orchestra in a rehearsal led by Assistant Conductor Kensho Watanabe at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, the composers will participate in meetings with Orchestra leadership and roundtable conversations with the Orchestra’s Artistic Committee and mentor composers, and will receive feedback from co-facilitators, ACO Artistic Director Derek Bermel and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and native Philadelphian Melinda Wagner. “Identifying and collaborating with living composers from all backgrounds is of paramount importance to our organization and for the future evolution of this art form,” said Jeremy Rothman, vice president of artistic planning for The Philadelphia Orchestra. “Our goal is for these readings to foster dialogue between composers and musicians, provide valuable tools for composers to have their works heard and promoted, and spark deeper relationships with a broader selection of composers.” The six invited composers––selected from the alumnae of ACO's Underwood, EarShot, and Jazz Composer Orchestra Institute programs––will travel to Philadelphia to work collaboratively with the Orchestra. The composers are Melody Eötvös (2014 Underwood New Music Readings), Hilary Purrington (2017 Underwood New Music Readings), Chen-Hui Jen (2012 EarShot Readings San Diego Symphony), Robin Holcomb (2016 Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute Readings Naples Philharmonic), Xi Wang (2010 Underwood New Music Readings); and Nina C. Young (2013 Underwood New Music Readings). ACO president Ed Yim added, “Many of the six invited composers were originally identified through the Women Composers Readings and Commissions program, made possible by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Embedded in our Underwood New Music Readings and in EarShot, the program is a systematic approach for identifying emerging female orchestral composers. We are delighted to be collaborating with the great Philadelphia Orchestra and support its desire to strengthen and diversify its programming with these six vibrant artists.” American Composers Orchestra is both a performing orchestra and a catalyst for the creation and programming of new orchestral music by American composers through several platforms. For nearly 30 years, ACO’s own Underwood New Music Readings have presented new works and given emerging composers feedback from mentor composers, musicians, and conductors. Based on the model of the Underwood readings, ACO also enables orchestras around the country to identify and collaborate with emerging composers through EarShot, a joint program with the League of American Orchestras, New Music USA, and the American Composers Forum. The Women Composers Reading and Commission Program (a partnership with the League of American Orchestras) and the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute offer additional opportunities. Cumulatively, these programs offer composers an array of opportunities to be heard on a national stage.

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Join the Fort Wayne Philharmonic as it teams up with three living composers at a free general-admission performance. Hear exciting new pieces being workshopped at the Philharmonic by the nation's brightest and most talented emerging composers in the early stages of promising careers: The participants and their compositions are Nathan Kelly ("Redwood"), Ms. Sohwa Lee ("Palindrome"), and Robert Rankin ("Nijinsky Dances").EarShot is a nationwide network of new music readings and composer-development programs. It is the nation’s first ongoing, systematic program for identifying emerging orchestral composers; it provides professional-level working experience with orchestras from every region of the country and increases awareness of these composers and access to their music throughout the industry.The performance will be the culmination of four days of workshops and rehearsals. It will be professionally recorded and each composer will be given a high-quality audio recording to be used for archival, study and portfolio purposes. No ticket is required for admission to the performance.This event is a partnership of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA.

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Davidson, NC – On Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 10am, EarShot (the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network) and the Charlotte Symphony present the readings of new works by three emerging composers, at Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall (207 Faculty Drive) led by Charlotte Symphony Assistant Conductor Christopher James Lees. The New Music Readings will be the culmination of a series of private readings, feedback sessions, and work with mentor composers Trevor Weston, Wang Jie, and Robert Beaser. The selected composers, chosen from an international candidate pool, are Niloufar Iravani (Fantasy), Jihyun Kim (At Dawn), and Felipe Nieto (Artesania Sonora). On this co-presentation and partnership, Charlotte Symphony President and CEO Mary A. Deissler remarks, “Living composers, and the work they create, are integral to a vibrant culture. The CSO is committed to presenting programs and artists that reflect the diversity of our community.”EarShot enables connections between orchestras and emerging composers. Drawing from a national network of advisors and advocates, EarShot works with orchestras around the country to identify and support promising composers in the early stages of their careers. Orchestras have relied on EarShot to advise them on commissions, competitions, and program design in addition to identifying composers consistent with the orchestra’s artistic vision. EarShot residencies 2 include established composer mentorship, orchestra readings, and musician and conductor feedback sessions, and are customized to the orchestra’s aesthetic and/or demographic interests and community and education activities. EarShot is a partnership between American Composers Orchestra, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA.

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Sarasota, FL – On Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 8pm, EarShot (the National Orchestral Composition Discovery Network) and the Sarasota Orchestra present the readings of new works by four emerging composers at Holley Hall (709 N Tamiami Trail). Led by Los Angeles based conductor Christopher Rountree, the New Music Readings will be the culmination of a series of private readings, feedback sessions, and work with mentor composers Robert Beaser, Laura Karpman, and Chinary Ung. The selected composers and their works, chosen from a national call for scores that yielded 127 applicants, are Krists Auznieks (Crossing), Nicky Sohn (Bird Up), Sam Wu (Wind Map), and Kitty Xiao (Ink and Wash). Additional activities include professional development panels with the mentor composers and guests William J. Lackey of American Composers Forum, Stephen Miles of New College of Florida, and select staff from the Sarasota Orchestra administrative team. “Sarasota Orchestra is thrilled to be a partner for the ACO’s Earshot initiative and a leader on the national forefront of orchestras raising the profile of emerging composers,” said Sarasota Orchestra President/CEO Joseph McKenna. “As one of only three professional orchestras in the country awarded this opportunity in the 2018-2019 season, we recognize that we are doing something special for Sarasota and our entire region’s arts community. This incredible experience is a testament to the power of our mission to engage, educate and enrich through live performance.” EarShot, an initiative of American Composers Orchestra (ACO) in partnership with American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA, is the nation’s first ongoing program for identifying and promoting the most promising orchestral composers on the national stage. ACO’s artistic and administrative staff collaborates with participating orchestras, assisting with planning, program design, and execution. EarShot residencies include mentorship from the most accomplished orchestral composers in the country, orchestra readings, and musician and conductor feedback sessions. The program is customized to each host orchestra’s aesthetic, demographic, community, and educational interests. Additional EarShot readings this season occurred with Grand Rapids Symphony (September 26-30, 2018) and are upcoming with Detroit Symphony Orchestra (March 2-9, 2019) and American Composers Orchestra (Underwood New Music Readings, May 23-24, 2019).

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Drawing from a national network of advisors and advocates, EarShot works with orchestras around the country to identify and support promising composers in the early stages of their careers. Orchestras have relied on EarShot to identify and connect with composers consistent with their artistic vision, and to advise the orchestra on commissions, competitions, and program design. Managed by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO), EarShot is a partnership between the ACO, League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and New Music USA. Over the past 10 years EarShot has initiated dozens of composer/orchestra/conductor relationships across the country offering opportunities to more than 100 composers. In 2016, ACO launched a composer archive of past EarShot compositions now in the orchestral repertoire.In keeping with ACO’s commitment to customizing the EarShot residencies to the participating orchestra’s programming requests, Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra selected 3 Mexican composers and 3 American composers for their residency.

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