Friday June 18th: 9:15-10:30am and repeated 10:45-12:00pm

Atlanta School of Composers
(9:15-10:30am ONLY)

At a time when many concertgoers continue to approach contemporary music with skepticism, Atlanta Symphony audiences are turning out in deeply encouraging numbers to enjoy performances of new works by talented young composers. This community celebration -  dubbed the “Atlanta School of Composers”  - has not only been the catalyst for generating new commissions, it has forged a full and comprehensive approach to incubating young composers and their work through long term relationships between orchestra and composer which involve commissions, multiple performance opportunities, multi-media interviews to share their collaborative experiences with patrons and commercial recordings of their commissions to help ensure the longevity of their creative work. It is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Michael Gandolfi, composer; Jennifer Higdon, composer; Adam Schoenberg, composer; Robert Spano ( bio), music director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Christopher Theofanidis, composer

Diversity:  A Fundamental Commitment

For promising young African American and Latino classical student musicians, the Talent Development Program (TDP) of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra opens the door to opportunity and achievement at the highest level.  This session provides an overview of the best thinking and practices of this nationally-recognized, minority talent development initiative.  Learn about this program first-hand and find out how to change the face of American orchestras at your own institutions. 

Edie Bostic, trustee council vice chair for academic & student affairs, Talent Development Program, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Joseph Conyers, double bass, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Drew Forde, violist and TDP Alum Class of 2010; Beth Wilson, director of student musician development, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Engaging Concert Formats

Responding to the changing tastes and expectations of concertgoers, orchestras are developing and testing a wide range of new concert formats and settings, in hopes of attracting new audiences and more deeply satisfying those who already come.  Steven Tepper will lay the groundwork for this new era of innovation by drawing on examples from other sectors.  In advance of moving into its new Frank Gehry concert hall later this year, Howard Herring will discuss four concert formats that the New World Symphony is developing in partnership with its musicians. Finally, Alan Brown will brief participants on research commissioned by Pacific Symphony and larger trends in audience engagement practice.

Alan Brown, principal, Wolf/Brown; Howard Herring, president and CEO, New World Symphony; Stephen Tepper, associate director; Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Social Policy at Vanderbilt University

The Entrepreneurial Musician

The Entrepreneurial Musician: An emerging generation of musicians envisions, and embraces, a career profile that includes music making across genres, in traditional and non-traditional venues, reaching audiences with and without prior experience with classical music. They see themselves as active creators of their own careers and owners of their artistic lives. What challenges and opportunities does this create for orchestras? How can we change to celebrate and promote the energy of our musicians – our orchestras’ most essential resource?  

Matt Albert, violin/viola, eighth blackbird; Tom Gibson, freelance trombone (10:30-12:00 ONLY); Susanna Perry Gilmore, concertmaster, Memphis Symphony; Carla Lehmeier-Tatum, president, Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA); Jesse Rosen, president and CEO, League of American Orchestras; Colin Williams, trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (9:15-10:30 ONLY); Tony Woodcock, president, New England Conservatory 

Fearless Journeys: Innovation in Five American Orchestras

The League’s newly-released study examines ground-breaking practices in five high-functioning and highly creative American orchestras, and looks at the leadership and decision-making models that have implications for all our orchestras. Learn about the practices in orchestras that may suggest new models for yours.

Read Fearless Journeys >>

Catherine Macciariello, principal, Creative Arts Consulting; Ryan Fleur, president & CEO, Memphis Symphony; Donald F. Fox, executive vice president for business operations & CFO; Sarah Lutman, president & managing director, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Eileen Jeanette, vice president of artistic and orchestra operations, Pacific Symphony; Chad Smith, vice president of artistic planning, Los Angeles Philharmonic

This session is made possible in part by a generous grant from MetLife Foundation

Knowing Your Customers and Not Just Their Pocketbooks:  Getting Inside the “R” in Customer Relationship Management

Orchestras talk all the time about their “relationships” with the audience and the community, but how many really understand their concertgoers from the inside out, and how to use that understanding to build sustained support? In this session led by one of the nation’s foremost experts on brand relationships, you’ll learn three secrets to more informed customer relationship management: fitting the offering into people’s lives; appreciating the many different forms of relationships beyond advocacy and deep loyalty, and taking responsibility for relationships that are two-way.  HINT: it’s way beyond a survey of donor dollars and ticket sales.

Susan Fournier, associate professor of marketing, Boston University; David Snead, vice president, marketing, New York Philharmonic

Open Space Discussion:  Town Hall Follow-up

Join your colleagues for a lively open space discussion where participants set the agenda.  This session is designed for those who want to continue the dialogue begun online and at the Town Hall meeting about the future of orchestras.

Jessica Balboni, director, Orchestra Leadership Academy, League of American Orchestras; additional presenters tbd 

Professionals Under 40

Help surface the emerging trends and opportunities. Join the “Professionals Under 40 for American Orchestras” network to discuss the future of classical music – what’s needed, what will be the role of digital assets, and how can we create a shared nationwide agenda driven by the next generation during Conference and continue the discussion after Conference.

Graham Parker, executive director, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; Ari Solotoff, chief of staff and director of planning, Philadelphia Orchestra; former executive director, Portland Symphony Orchestra

Sponsored by TRG Arts

Today's Philanthropy

Charitable giving makes up the largest percentage of the total income that supports orchestras - more than any other single revenue source.  Fundamental shifts in the economy and civic participation are changing the way grant makers - whether foundations, individuals, governments, or corporations - exercise their charitable/philanthropic impulse.  How must orchestras adapt their fundraising strategies to fit into funders' tolerance for risk-taking, increased expectations for civic impact, and other new criteria.

Chris Abele, president and CEO, Argosy Foundation; chairman, board of directors, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Wayne Brown, director, music and opera, National Endowment for the Arts; Paul Hogle, executive vice president, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Sponsored by CCS