Performances
& Events
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
22nd Annual Underwood New Music Readings and CommissionApril 8-10, 2013Up to six composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO. There are no age restrictions; however, applicants should be at the early stages of their professional careers. Each composer may submit only one composition for consideration. Only works that will not have been performed or read by a professional orchestra nor received a public performance prior to the reading date are eligible. Do not submit recordings. Only works completed after January 1, 2008, will be considered. Compositions should be up to 15 minutes in length. Shorter works, or a portion or movement from longer works, will also be considered. Maximum instrumentation is: Winds 3*3*3*3*; Brass 4.3*3*1; Timpani + 4 Percussion, Harp, Keyboard; and Strings 10.8.6.6.4. (Standard orchestral doublings are permitted.) Works requiring soloists will not be considered. If selected, composers must provide professional, legible orchestral parts and scores prepared according to guidelines established by the Major Orchestral Librarians Association (MOLA) by March 1, 2013. MOLA guidelines can be found at:http://www.mola-inc.org/MOLAGuidelinesText.htm The quality of the score submitted is the primary evaluation criteria. It is therefore in the applicant’s best interest that the score be clear and accurate. Works employing electronics, MIDI, digital technology, and/or sound reinforcement in combination with the above instrumental forces will NOT be considered, neither will incomplete, illegible, or late applications. Composers who have applied previously for an UNMR are eligible to apply. However you must submit a new, complete application, including score and all required background information. Please contact the American Composers Orchestra with any questions concerning eligibility.At the Readings, composers will meet with ACO artistic staff and orchestra members—including conductor and music director George Manahan, artistic director Robert Beaser and mentor composer Christopher Theofanidis. The Readings are professionally recorded, and each composer is given a high-quality audio recording to be used for study purposes. Composers also participate in a series of professional development workshops covering such topics as promotion, score preparation, copyright and commissioning agreements, and other career essentials. Participants’ travel expenses are provided.
21st Annual Underwood New Music Readings and Commission June 1-3, 2012Up to six composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO.The readings are the core of ACO’s ongoing professional training programs for emerging American composers.At the Readings, composers will meet with ACO artistic staff and orchestra members—including conductor and music director George Manahan, artistic director Robert Beaser and mentor composers Derek Bermel, Steven Stucky, and Melinda Wagner—and receive critical commentary and feedback. The Readings are professionally recorded, and each composer is given a high-quality audio recording to be used for study purposes. Composers also participate in a series of professional development workshops covering such topics as promotion, score preparation, copyright and commissioning agreements, and other career essentials. Participants’ travel expenses are provided.
21st Annual Underwood New Music Readings and Commission
The ACO partners with the San Diego Symphony for their 2012 Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO partners with the San Diego Symphony for their 2012 Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2011 Earshot New Music Readings.
The ACO partners with the Buffalo Philharmonic for their 2011 Earshot New Music Readings.
19th Annual Underwood New Music Readings featuring new music by American composers.
The ACO partners with the Pioneer Valley Symphony for their 2010 Earshot New Music Readings.
The ACO partners with the Pioneer Valley Symphony for their 2010 Earshot New Music Readings.
The ACO partners with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for their first season of Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO partners with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for their first season of Earshot New Music Readings
The ACO joins the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for their very first Earshot New Music Reading in 2009
The ACO joins the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for their very first Earshot New Music Reading
The Underwood New Music Readings present an opportunity to selected young composers to have there works read and recorded by a professional orchestra. The event is open to the public and ACO reaches out to schools and other music organizations inviting them to attend the readings.
The American Composers Orchestra presents the 17th Annual Underwood New Music Readings, featuring readings by emerging American Composers.
The American Composers Orchestra presents the 17th Annual Underwood New Music Readings.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 16th annual Underwood New Music Reading Sessions to be held at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts in New York City on May 8 & 9, 2007. Up to eight composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO.Writing for the symphony orchestra remains one of the supreme challenges for the aspiring composer. The subtleties of instrumental balance, timbre, effective part preparation, and communication with conductor and musicians are critical skills. But openings for composers to gain hands-on experience working with a professional orchestra are few. ACO's New Music Reading Sessions are designed to give emerging composers the opportunity to work with an orchestra singular in its commitment to the development of the American composer and to hear their work performed by some of the country's most outstanding contemporary music instrumentalists.Led by ACO Artistic Director Robert Beaser, the Readings are the core of ACO's ongoing professional training programs for emerging American composers.At the Readings, composers will meet with ACO artistic staff, orchestra members, and composer advisors and receive critical commentary and feedback. Members of ACO's composer advisory panel and guest composers participate in preliminary reviews of scores, post-Reading evaluations and selection of the composer to receive the commission award. The Reading are professionally recorded, and each composer a high-quality audio recording to be used for study purposes.ACO's related programs include an annual composer fellowship that allows a composer to work with ACO's artistic and administrative staffs over the course of a season; and Orchestra Tech, a multi-year project to explore the past, present and future applications of electronics and digital technologies in orchestral music. Through Orchestra Tech, works employing electronics and digital technology are now encouraged for the Readings.Lead support for the New Music Readings comes from Mr. Paul Underwood, the Fromm Foundation and The Helen F. Whitaker Fund. ACO's emerging composers programs are made possible with the support of Jerome Foundation, and with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 16th annual Underwood New Music Reading Sessions
American Composers Orchestra announces its 15th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission. Up to eight composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO at Carnegie Hall. The Readings are led by Artistic Director Robert Beaser and, and will be held on May 18 & 19, 2006 in New York City. Composers Paul Moravec and Stephen Paulus will serve as composer-mentors.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 15th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 14th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission. Up to eight composers in the early stages of their careers will be selected to participate. One will be awarded a $15,000 commission to write a new work to be performed by ACO at Carnegie Hall. The Readings are led by Artistic Director Robert Beaser and Music Director Steven Sloane, and will be held on May 5-6, 2005 at Columbia University. The application deadline is November 10, 2004. The submission form, guidelines, and additional information is available at www.americancomposers.org/nmr or by calling ACO at 212 977 8495 x202/readings@americancomposers.org.
American Composers Orchestra announces its 14th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and CommissionAmerican Composers Orchestra announces its 14th annual Underwood New Music Readings Sessions and Commission.