Contemporary Music in American Symphony Orchestras: A Guide for Arts Administrators

Abstract

This graduate research project serves as a guide for arts administrators programming contemporary symphonic music (music composed by a living composer) in American symphony orchestras. The researcher (1) demonstrates there is a need for contemporary symphonic music to be a part of the standard repetoire in American symphony orchestras, (2) provides resources for arts administrators seeking to incorporate (more) contemporary symphonic music into their programming, and (3) provides tools for arts administrators to bring in new audiences to experience contemporary symphonic music. The document contains a chapter on resources available federally and to Oregon, Washington and California, professional viewpoints about the importance of contemporary music in American symphony orchestras, and recommendations for arts administrators based on literature and field research.