2026 -2027 Collaboration to Feature New Work by Angel Lam
JOHNS CREEK, GA – Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra is one of nine orchestras selected to join a national consortium as part of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, an initiative of the League of American Orchestras in partnership with the American Composers Orchestra (ACO). The consortium is designed to ensure that new full-length works by women and nonbinary composers, each commissioned by the League in partnership with ACO, will receive multiple performances throughout the country.
The JCSO will partner with composer Angel Lam for a performance of her new work in its 2026-2027 season.
“Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra is proud to have been selected for this nationwide program that supports composers who are traditionally underrepresented on orchestral stages,” said JCSO Executive Director Linda Brill. “We are looking forward to performing Grammy Award-winning composer Angel Lam’s new piece in Johns Creek and hosting her for educational and outreach opportunities with our audiences and with students in our schools.”
The new consortium, comprised of orchestras from nine U.S. states, includes the following orchestra-composer pairs (lead orchestras in bold):
- 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)
About the Program
The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program is an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. The program seeks to increase the programming of works by women and nonbinary composers on orchestra stages.
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 the American Composers Orchestra in collaboration with American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. Commission recipients are selected from composers who have participated in EarShot reading sessions.
Since its inception in 2014, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program has commissioned thirty-one works from twenty-eight women and non-binary composers, many who have since received additional commissions from America’s orchestras. The program began with the awarding of two annual commissions, quickly increased to three, and then, in 2022, the first of the three national consortiums was formed. A repeat performance initiative has launched in 2025, with sixteen orchestras performing all the previously commissioned works from 2014-19, before the first consortium was formed.
Read more about the composers on the League’s website.
The League of American Orchestras champions the vitality of music and the orchestral experience, supports the orchestra community, and leads change boldly. The only national organization dedicated to orchestras and their communities, the League supports the field through advocacy, research, convenings, leadership development, artistic programs, and grants. Founded in 1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League includes nearly 25,000 musicians, conductors, orchestra staff, board members, volunteers, and business partners working within our membership of 1600 world-renowned orchestras, community groups, summer festivals, student and youth ensembles, conservatories and libraries, businesses serving orchestras, and individuals who love symphonic music. Visit americanorchestras.org.
In 1977, a collective of fearless New York City musicians came together to form the American Composers Orchestra (ACO), an ensemble dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. Over more than 40 years committed to artistry, creativity, community, and equity, ACO has blossomed into a national institution that not only cultivates and develops the careers of living composers, but also provides composers a direct pipeline to partnerships with many of America’s major symphony orchestras. In addition to its annual concert series at Carnegie Hall, ACO produces national educational programs for all ages, and composer advancement programs to foster a community of creators, audience, performers, collaborators, and funders – all dedicated to American composition. Visit americancomposers.org for more information.
Now encompassing all of ACO’s composer advancement initiatives, EarShot is the first ongoing, systematic program for developing relationships between composers and orchestras on the national level. Through orchestral readings, CoLABoratory fellowships, consortium commissions, publishing, and professional development, EarShot ensures a vibrant musical future by investing in creativity today. Serving over 350 composers since inception, ACO Readings in NYC began in 1991, and since 2008, national Readings have been offered in partnership with orchestras across the country in collaboration with the League of American Orchestras, New Music USA, and American Composers Forum. EarShot Readings composers have gone on to win every major composition award, including the Pulitzer, Grammy, Grawemeyer, American Academy of Arts and Letters, and Rome Prizes.
About Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, founded by Music Director J. Wayne Baughman, provides world-class musical enrichment for the community of Johns Creek through concert series performances, as well as additional educational programs and special events each year. Now in its 18th season, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional symphonic orchestra composed of professional musicians from all over the greater metro Atlanta area. To learn more about Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, please visit www.johnscreeksymphony.org.
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