My Nonprofit Reviews
sean
Review for American Composers Orchestra Inc, New York, NY, USA
More than any other orchestra in the country, the American Composers Orchestra is responsible for fostering the creation of new orchestral music, and giving tremendous opportunities to the newest generation of American composers. Between their reading sessions and commissioning opportunities, I've been fortunate to work with them twice (in 2009 with the ACO/Penn Presents New Music Reading Session, and in 2010-2011 with their Playing it UNsafe program).
Both were extraordinary learning experiences for me. They were wonderful opportunities to present my music to new audiences at prestigious venues, but more importantly, they gave me a great deal of access to high-caliber orchestra which helped me learn to write for it in a way I would have never otherwise been able to.
The program through which they commissioned me this season, Playing it UNsafe, is a perfect example of how they occupy a unique position in American music. The program involves commissioning composers to write pieces that tug at the seams of traditional orchestral music, and that try risky ideas that composers would never be able to try under the pressures of writing for a normal orchestra. They give us an unheard-of amount of time to work with the orchestra, and extra support and encouragement to help us realize our ideas. I can absolutely not see how I would have been able to effectively realize my piece -- a percussion ensemble concerto for junk car parts and orchestra -- had I not been given the extra access to the orchestra that I can only imagine ACO giving me.
ACO's existence is a blessing to both composers and anyone interested in the future of orchestral music. Many of the pieces that they take risks in commissioning (risks that other orchestras would likely not take) go on to be performed by many other orchestras.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
They enabled me to write ambitious and risky pieces that I would have otherwise not had the opportunity to write. And I believe the result is some of my very best work.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
The ACO is run extremely well, and always has bold and well-considered programs. They are only limited by the amount of funding. With more support, they could commission more composers, have more concerts, more innovative programs like Playing it UNsafe, and outreach and educational programs, as well.
