League of American Orchestras

06/18/2026

Read up on the latest developments in today's League Advocacy Update and make your summer policy plans:

In This Issue: Contact Congress: Support Federal Arts and Education Funding! Humanities Endowment Ordered to Reinstate Grants; New Tools to Fight Ticket Fraud; Creative Expression and Collective Courage; and Capitol Hill Comes to Your Hometown this July and August

06/18/2026

Inspiring their peers with music, the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra performed for nearly 1,400 elementary students, side by side with some members of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra at the Forum Auditorium.

Thanks to all who are helping us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the League's Youth Orchestra Division by highlighting the work of youth orchestras!

06/17/2026

Congratulations to the 36 orchestra and arts professionals who will be joining us in New York City this summer for ten days of professional development!

Learn more about the 2026 Essentials of Orchestra Management cohort: https://americanorchestras.org/event/2026-essentials-of-orchestra-management/

06/15/2026

Applications are closing soon for the next Orchestra Intensive! The Artistic Administration Intensive is an opportunity for real-world training in programming, planning, budgeting, and artist relationships from expert leaders.

Apply before the end of Tuesday, June 16:

The Orchestra Artistic Administration Intensive will take place in New York City on October 19-22, 2026.

06/12/2026

Congratulations to the more than 50 youth orchestras participating in Composing Our Tomorrow!

More than 50 new works will be given world premieres between 2026 and 2029—many of them by young, emerging composers—dramatically expanding the youth ensemble repertoire.

See the list: https://americanorchestras.org/learn/youth-orchestras/composing-our-tomorrow/participating-orchestras/

This nationwide commissioning project celebrates the 50th anniversary of the League’s Youth Orchestra Division.

Photo: Greenville Symphony Youth Orchestras; credit: Derek Eckenroth

06/11/2026

“They said Brahms sounded like Louis Armstrong, that Bach reminded them of Nipsey Hussle…Men in jail fist-pumped to Bartók like Metallica.”

Vijay Gupta - Violinist reflects on the ways that art can reach unexpected audiences and also be restorative for the artists themselves. Read the full feature in Symphony:

06/10/2026

Goal achieved! Thanks to the generosity of our incredible community and a Challenge Match by Double Eagle, the League Giving Days campaign raised $85,179.32—far surpassing our 2026 goal of $60,000. Your gifts help advance learning, leadership, research, advocacy, and connections that strengthen orchestras and the communities they serve. Thank you for your support and for investing in the future of orchestras!

06/09/2026

For emerging artistic administrators: don't miss the next Orchestra Intensive! The Artistic Administration Intensive brings participants to NYC for four days of real-world training in programming, planning, budgeting, and artist relationships. Tuition includes housing, and scholarships are available.

Learn more: https://americanorchestras.org/event/artistic-administration-intensive/

06/03/2026

And that’s a wrap on an amazing ! Thank you to everyone who attended; to our presenters, performers, and session leaders; as well as our hosts, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. We had an incredible time in Baltimore.

Stay tuned for resources and recordings later this summer. And we’ll see you in Atlanta: June 2-4, 2027!

06/03/2026

We’re here: the final day of . Yesterday, we spent the day absorbed in great sessions and conversations, capped off by a brilliant concert from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the annual Tune-Up Party.

Today marks the last round of open sessions, constituency meetings, music, and more, including the Closing Luncheon and Annual Meeting. Let's keep the momentum going!

(Photo credit: Amy Raab Photography)