With the rising public health concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19), the American Composers Forum (ACF) is committed to the health and wellness of our large national community. We are paying […]
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The weather outside is typically unimportant when we gather in virtual environments. But on Saturday, March 5th, there was plenty of sunshine and warmth in the space into which Sister […]
Continue ReadingRecorded live on March 16, 2021. Internationally acclaimed musician Gao Hong to presented Creating Music for Chinese Instruments webinar on March 16, 2021. This conversation is about creating music for […]
Continue ReadingRecorded live on March 24, 2021 The following Professional Development Webinars are co-presented by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and the American Composers Forum (ACF). A panel of experts converse about the role of race in orchestral culture, individual responsibility, […]
Continue ReadingRecorded live on March 10, 2021. The following Professional Development Webinars are co-presented by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and the American Composers Forum (ACF). How can composers help guide their own careers? What part does creating an ensemble play […]
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innova Recordings, the longtime in-house record label of American Composers Forum (ACF), has announced a pilot program to support Bay Area artists in both the creation and release of new recordings. This […]
Continue ReadingThis Professional Development Webinar is co-presented by the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and the American Composers Forum (ACF). This conversation was recoded live via zoom on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. What skills should a composer have in order to produce their […]
Continue ReadingRecorded live on Feb 10, 2021 How can a composer navigate publishing? What are their options? Self-published composer Jonathan Bailey Holland leads a panel of experienced professionals to discuss avenues […]
Continue ReadingHow can composers find their true artistic message and convey that effectively online? Dameun Strange moderates a panel and Q&A exploring topics of authenticity and effectiveness online. Co-presented by American […]
Continue ReadingRecorded live November 9, 2020 Learn how to raise funds for your next project by leveraging the support of generous individuals. American Composers Orchestra Acting President and Director of Development […]
Continue ReadingRecorded live October 14, 2020 Co-presented by American Composers Orchestra and American Composers Forum Join seasoned orchestral musicians as they speak about their experiences with living composers and new orchestral […]
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ACF | connect partner Music of the Unsung America launches a season on music and art by Black creators Miami, FL (February 4, 2021) –. A new series featuring Black […]
Continue ReadingU.S. Congress is working to finalize the next wave of COVID-19 economic relief. This is an important moment for our ecosystem to actively engage with their local representatives. Please take […]
Continue ReadingIn its 20 years, BandQuest® has connected middle-level learners with living composers in meaningful ways. For those who may be new to it, BandQuest is a series of new music […]
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Accomplished music educator Portia Dunkley is the next artists in the ACF | connect program, which provides sustained support for music creators to build relationships with ensembles based in the United States. Through the development of new work, the program intentionally supports a spectrum of voices and music to advance creative musical expression, which ACF believes is essential to human culture. Dunkley has lived in Miami most of her life and she generously shared some stories from her journey in music. She’s the innovative founder of Teeny Violini, a mobile music education program provider for early education sites and schools. Spending over 16 years throughout Florida in string education, Dunkley’s leadership in music education is a bright light in the music-rich city of Miami, the South Florida region, and beyond.
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ACF | connect’s Partnership with Portia Dunkley Saint Paul, MN (October 5, 2020) – South Florida is rich with historic Black musical traditions that are diverse, vibrant, and span generations. […]
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For nearly 30 years Philip Blackburn has been unwavering in his dedication to the work of the American Composers Forum (ACF). His work has enabled hundreds of artists to receive […]
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St. Paul, MN (September 17, 2020) – I CARE IF YOU LISTEN, the award-winning multimedia hub for living music creators, has officially become part of the American Composers Forum. After […]
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Program Expansion and Staff Changes at the longtime Label of ACF Leading into its 50th anniversary in 2025, American Composers Forum (ACF) has developed a new strategic plan. Key aspects of […]
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The Healing Culture Work of Composer and Vocalist Mankwe Ndosi by Sun Yung Shin “The aim of each thing which we do is to make our lives and the lives […]
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We are thrilled to announce that Sun Yung Shin will become the new editor of ACF’s Resonance Storytelling series.
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The ACF Racial Equity Statement will be available for public feedback from September 3rd through October 5th.
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American Composers Forum in partnership with I Care If You Listen to kickoff UNEVEN MEASURES: Artists Reflect on the 19th Amendment in 2020 series The centennial anniversary of the ratification […]
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Learning through the Ears: Reflections on Heard in Havana In 2014, President Barack Obama announced that his administration would begin the process of normalizing relations between the United States and […]
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Jasper Talwani comes from a musical family but his journey to music was anything but a straight path. His parents studied music at different parts of their lives and wanted […]
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When Gene Angelo Nucal was less than 5 years old, he stumbled upon the instruments that were readily available in his house; piano and strings, primarily. He felt immediately drawn to them and began to experiment. His parents, seeing this, decided they should get him lessons so he would know what he was doing.
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Helen Feng is a recipient of the 2020 NextNotes High School Music Creator Award Helen Feng has perfect pitch. When she was very young, her parents encouraged her to take […]
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Rohan Srinivasan is a recipient of the 2020 NextNotes High School Music Creator Award Rohan Srinivasan is a curious listener and is already an accomplished award winning composer as a […]
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KiMani Bridges is very interested in how things work. In 5th grade she picked up the flute, the instrument her mom played when she was younger, and began her exploration into the workings of that instrument.
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Charlotte Weinstein found an old cello her mother had and she also knew that her mother truly enjoyed the sound of the cello. So she started experimenting with it. It was rough going initially as she tried to figure out proper bowing technique. Eventually that love for experimentation grew into a love for improvisation and composition.
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The American Composers Forum (ACF) today announced the recipients of this year’s McKnight Fellowships for Composers, funded by the McKnight Foundation. These awards, which include $25,000 in unrestricted funds for […]
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