Association Of California Symphony Orchestras
PROGRAMS
Virtual Professional Development Program
This program supports the continuation of ACSO’s online learning community, which provides professional education, development, and networking opportunities for California’s classical music community. This program expands the reach of ACSO's online learning community, including virtual education, professional development, and networking opportunities for both members and not-yet-members. ACSO’s “Ask an Expert” webinars are sixty to ninety-minute online workshops covering an array of topics from fundraising to equity to governance. Webinars are free to members and $25 to not-yet-members. Virtual Peer Forums (VPFs) are peer-to-peer conversations led by a facilitator and designed to connect orchestra administrators working in different roles with groups of their counterparts in other orchestras. VPFs are spaces for participants to share ideas, best practices, and challenges facing their organizations. Forums are also a valuable opportunity for participants to strengthen their networks and find colleagues to rely on for support. VPFs are complimentary for members and $10 for not-yet-members. Groups are limited to 20 participants to maximize conversation and allow everyone to participate. Additionally, ACSO members have free access to an archive of past webinars.
This program allows ACSO to maximize its impact across distance in a way that is accessible and safe for all members of the classical music community. ACSO is proud to support our community members by helping them find the strength and solutions they need to continue doing what they do best – bringing extraordinary music to life. Our goal is for this program to serve 1,100 individuals each year.
ACSO envisions a classical music landscape that is vibrant, healthy, diverse, and connected to the communities it serves, and will continue to work in pursuit of that vision by providing essential leadership and resources to classical music advocates and organizations. The classical music community is strongest and most resilient when we lean on one another for counsel and camaraderie. ACSO is proud to support our community members by helping them find the strength and solutions they need to continue doing what they do best – bringing extraordinary music to life.
ACSO Annual Conference in Costa Mesa, August 7-9, 2025.
The ACSO Annual Conference brings together 250-300 orchestra and classical music professionals, representing more than 100 orchestras and ensembles from across California and the western United States. It offers a unique opportunity for industry leaders, musicians, music students, administrators, and educators to come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and find solutions to community-wide challenges. The conference features a wide range of sessions on topics such as marketing, fundraising, audience engagement, and organizational sustainability, with a focus on collaboration and practical insights. Attendees can also network with peers, connect with vendors, and gain new perspectives that enhance their ability to serve their communities through music. The event is designed to foster connections and inspire creativity, with sessions led by experts in the field, interactive workshops, and engaging panels that delve into the latest trends and best practices. Whether you're from a small organization or a large institution, ACSO’s conference is a place to gain valuable knowledge, build lasting relationships, and be part of a vibrant music community.
To provide professional development training and access to experts that supports and advances the skills of those working in and with California orchestras.
CONTACT
Association Of California Symphony Orchestras
PO BOX 71439
Los Angeles, California 90044
Phone: 800-495-2276