Sarasota Orchestra is one of 30 orchestras taking part in the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, an initiative of the League of American Orchestras. The unprecedented national consortium ensures that new works by women composers, each commissioned through the League, will be infused in orchestra seasons to come, with multiple performances throughout the country. The consortium’s initial six lead orchestra-composer pairings were previously announced: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Diego Symphony and Sarasota Orchestra. More than 80 orchestras applied for additional spots. Sarasota Orchestra will partner with composer Sarah Gibson for the world premiere performance of her new work “to make this mountain taller” as part of its final March 31 – April Masterworks program A Hero’s Life. Sarasota Orchestra was previously selected by the League of American Orchestras and American Composers Orchestra as a partner for EarShot 2019, in which four composers traveled to Sarasota for mentoring and workshops, which culminated in public “readings” of their new works with a chamber-size orchestra. The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program is an initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with 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. Consortium orchestras were required to 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.As with the original Women Composers Readings and Commissions program, the new program is embedded in EarShot, an initiative of American Composers Orchestra in collaboration with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA. The six commission recipients were selected from women and nonbinary composers who have participated in EarShot residencies.

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