New York, NY (February 4, 2026) – Twenty orchestra professionals from across the U.S. have been selected for the first Orchestra Intensive from the League of American Orchestras. A four-day, deep-dive professional development program, the Orchestra Personnel Management Intensivewill be the first in a series of Intensives focused on specific roles in orchestra administration. This program is presented in collaboration with Arts Administration programs at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, and will take place March 16-19, 2026, in Bloomington, IN.  

The Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive is made possible by a generous grant from The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. 

“We had an incredible response to the announcement of the first year of this program,” said League of American Orchestras President and CEO Simon Woods. “This cohort is experienced, dedicated, and passionate about serving American orchestras. For decades, we’ve seen the impact of programs like this in strengthening and catalyzing our field—and we’re eager to see what this new class will achieve.”   

Orchestra Intensives are intended to be complementary to the League’s long-standing Essentials of Orchestra Management program, which has created a pathway to future leadership and career success for over 25 years. Demand for similar programs with a more specialized approach drove the League to invest in developing these new opportunities. The Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive will be the first in the series, to be followed by an Orchestra Artistic Administrators Intensive in Fall 2026 and an Orchestra Operations Management Intensive in Spring 2027.

Curriculum topics at the Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive will include musician management and hiring, collective bargaining agreements, the audition and tenure process, building inclusive cultures, conflict resolution, crisis problem-solving, employment law, and more. The program also emphasizes networking and leadership development, with time for peer exchange and guided reflection.

This program is taught and directed by a faculty comprised of expert leaders of the orchestra field and beyond, including: 

Faculty Leadership:

Beth Paine, Director of Orchestra Personnel, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Shana Bey, Director of Orchestra Management, Los Angeles Philharmonic 

League Leadership:

Simon Woods, President and CEO 

Caen Thomason-Redus, Vice President, Inclusion and Learning 

David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs 

Guest Faculty:

Rochelle Skolnick, Director of Symphonic Services and Special Counsel, American Federation of Musicians

Kyle Wynk-Sivashankar, SHRM-CP, PHR, Chief People Officer, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Timothy Zavadil, Clarinetist, Minnesota Orchestra

The 2026 Orchestra Personnel Management Intensivecohort is comprised entirely of professionals working in personnel management for U.S. orchestras, seeking to strengthen or advance their careers.  Participants include:

Kayla Aftahi Pavel, Orchestra Personnel Manager, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

David Allen, Personnel Manager and Principal Clarinet, Western Piedmont Symphony

Kristin Baird, Director of Orchestra, New World Symphony

Taylor Crawford, Orchestra Personnel Manager, Las Vegas Philharmonic

Matthew Creek, Manager of Popular Programming, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Dardon, Manager of Visiting Faculty & Entrepreneurship, New World Symphony

Jordan DeWester, Personnel and Operations Manager, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Erin Eady, Director of Orchestra Personnel, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Natalie Fernandez, Personnel Manager and Education Director, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas

Heidi Herbert-Lovern, President, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra Players’ Association

Christopher Herman, Personnel Manager, Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Sabrina Romney Lloyd, Personnel Manager, Wyoming Symphony Orchestra

Angelo Monroy, Personnel Manager, Reno Chamber Orchestra

Adam Norton, Orchestra Personnel Manager, San Diego Symphony

Maria-Camila Patiño, Personnel Manager and Strings Teacher, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra

Estefan Perez, Orchestra Personnel Manager and Education Coordinator, Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Eric Reichelt, Artistic Operations Manager, Peoria Symphony Orchestra

Nicholas Taylor, Manager of Orchestra Personnel, Colorado Symphony Association

Sonja Thoms, Director of Operations, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera

Jeff Whitsett, Orchestra Personnel Manager and Librarian, Winston-Salem Symphony

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In This Issue

• Congress Preserves NEA Funding as FY26 Grants Roll Out
• Learn Essential Next Steps for Bow Owners
• Visa Processing Changes and Challenges
• How Will 2026 Charitable Giving Respond to Tax Policy Changes?

Congress Preserves NEA Funding as FY26 Grants Roll Out

Overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House (397-28) and Senate (82-15), advanced a three-bill funding package that protects full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities at $207 million each. Orchestras joined arts advocates nationwide in speaking up in response to the Administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for the cultural agencies. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) emphasized the role of Congress in determining federal funding: “These bills are the product of bipartisan, bicameral consensus and are grounded in a member-driven process.”

New grantmaking is already underway. Now-confirmed NEA Chair Mary Anne Carter announced a round of projects related to the National Garden of American Heroes, as well as the first grant awards for FY26. Orchestras in communities throughout the U.S. will receive first round FY26 Grants for Arts Projects (GAP1) support from the NEA to present a variety of projects—many honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States. These include free outdoor concerts, commissions and premieres of new works, and music education training for youth. Additional GAP1 grants for FY2026 will be added to the NEA’s Grant Search database as they are considered and awarded in the coming months, followed by action on GAP2 applications. The League has extracted FY2026 NEA Grants to Orchestras with the projects awarded to orchestras and related projects and will expand the list as more grants are added to the NEA’s Grant Search database.

• See the League’s ongoing list of FY26 Grants to Orchestras.
• Keep up with FY27 grant application deadlines ahead in February and July 2026, which now include Challenge America and Our Town support. Research grant applications are due in March 2026.
• The League’s NEA Grants Process Overview tracks the latest implications of court action, what we know about how executive actions affect grantee compliance requirements, and when updates have been made to the NEA’s agency priorities and FAQ pages.

Learn Essential Next Steps for Bow Owners

New rules under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) take effect March 5, 2026, with implications for all stringed musicians, makers, sellers, and the iconic Pernambuco trees that grow exclusively in Brazil. Bows will continue to move free of permits when crossing international borders for performances, repairs, and specific travel that does not result in a change of ownership. However, CITES permits will be required for all international sales of existing and new Pernambuco bows, with proof that the wood was harvested before the species went under international protection on September 13, 2007.

• Register to attend our webinar on February 10, 3:00pm Eastern, “Know Your Bow: New  Rules and Essential Steps for Pernambuco Sustainability.”
• Read the latest Symphony article, The Sustainable Bow.
• Learn more in the League’s Pernambuco Policies and Conservation Overview.

Visa Processing Changes and Challenges

The increasing cost of artist visas and long delays in regular processing are severe barriers to engaging international artists and is a focus of advocacy and action by the League and our national arts partners. USCIS announced fee increases for premium processing service (PPS), effective March 1, 2026, raising the cost to expedite O and P arts-related petitions from $2,805 to $2,965. Average regular processing times are taking 8 to 9 months, leaving many no choice but to pay the additional cost, as those seeking visa approvals also navigate changes to the fee payment method and filing address locations.

The League’s dedicated Artists from Abroad news alerts provide real-time updates on the deluge of policy changes. The League is ready to be of assistance and our team appreciates hearing about petitioner experiences to bolster our ongoing advocacy efforts.

How Will 2026 Charitable Giving Respond to Tax Policy Changes?

The League and its advocacy partners in the Charitable Giving Coalition are keeping an eye out for expected regulations from the IRS that will formally guide taxpayers through the changes to giving incentives included in the 2025 tax reform package. Meanwhile, our colleagues at the Association of Fundraising Professionals have provided very helpful overviews and donor-facing materials to help activate the broad base of donors that do not itemize tax returns and will now be able to access the tax deduction for giving in 2026. Find this and other helpful information and overviews in the League’s Philanthropic Trends Resource Center. 

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In This Issue

• Your Voice Makes a Difference: Plan Ahead for 2026
• Know Your Bow: What’s New and Next
• NEA Launches FY27 Grant Guidelines and Announces New Awards
• Tax Policy Changes Spur Adjustments to Individual Giving

Your Voice Makes a Difference: Plan Ahead for 2026

The League is grateful to orchestra stakeholders for engaging in advocacy throughout 2025 on an unprecedented range of critical policy topics. Your actions in partnership with the wider arts and nonprofit sectors have made a difference in generating bipartisan support to reduce ticket fraud, sustain National Endowment for the Arts funding, protect international artistry, and generate more charitable giving. These policy areas and more will require continued action in the new year, and Congress has already set its schedule for 2026. Your orchestra can start planning now to engage your elected officials when they are in their home districts and states, including the lengthy recess periods scheduled for August and October. Bookmark the League’s 2026 Calendar of Opportunities and make advocacy plans to show how your orchestra serves as a vital part of the community. You can refresh your advocacy strategies by checking out our Playing Your Part guide, and please remember to keep us posted so we can amplify your efforts!

Know Your Bow: What’s New and Next

On Friday, December 5, 2025 the 185 global parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) voted on final approval of new international rules for the pernambuco wood used for bows for stringed instruments.

• Bows will continue to move free of permit requirements when crossing international borders for performances, repairs, and other specific activities that do not result in a change of ownership.
• Starting in early March 2026, specialized permits will be required for all international sales of existing and new bows, requiring proof that the wood was harvested before the species went under international protection in 2007.
• Global governments and musical instrument stakeholders will partner on actions to strengthen legal compliance, develop an identifying system for available wood and bows, and support a sustainable future for the species.

Brazil—the only country in which pernambuco grows—had proposed listing the species at the highest level of CITES protections, in Appendix I of the treaty, which would have restricted travel and trade in most circumstances. Heather Noonan, the League of American Orchestras’ Vice President, Advocacy, played a leadership role throughout the unfolding debates in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and spoke on behalf of global music stakeholders as the proposal was considered. Under the new detailed policies, the species will remain in Appendix II, providing flexibility and support for ongoing sales and use of bows. The new requirements for international sales will be the subject of detailed guidance issued by global governments. The League will continue to update its Pernambuco Policy Resource Page and meanwhile musicians can stay informed and participate in our long-term Know Your Bow efforts.

NEA Launches FY27 Grant Guidelines and Announces New Awards

The National Endowment for the Arts released new guidelines for FY27 Grants for Arts Projects (GAP), reinstating the Challenge America program, streamlining arts discipline categories, and updating work sample procedures. There are two funding cycles, with initial application deadlines in February and July 2026, and projects are subject to GAP’s eligibility and application limits.

The NEA is meanwhile awarding FY26 grants and announced this week 50 grants for Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes. The League’s NEA Grants Overview tracks the latest implications of court action, what we know about how executive actions affect grantee compliance requirements, and when updates have been made to the NEA’s agency priorities and FAQ pages. 

The nomination of Mary Anne Carter to again serve as NEA Chair in a new four-year term will soon receive full Senate consideration. Carter has been serving as Senior Advisor since January 2025, engaging with arts stakeholders to provide context about grant procedures and to receive news about the breadth and work of the U.S. arts sector.

Tax Policy Changes Spur Adjustments to Individual Giving

As 2025 winds down, we are all reminded of the essential role of philanthropy in the work orchestras do in communities. Many donors have been making changes to year-end giving plans, before new tax policies begin. Be on the look-out for shifts to giving strategies for 2026 and find helpful information and overviews in the League’s Philanthropic Trends Resource Center.

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New York, NY (December 12, 2025) – The League of American Orchestras is pleased to announce a partnership with the recently formed Ibero-American Network of Symphony Orchestras (RIOS). The collaboration aims to unite orchestras throughout the Americas for dialogue and the sharing of ideas, make the League’s resources available to Latin American orchestras, and provide impetus to the development of Spanish language content on the League’s website.  

RIOS held their inaugural meeting at the Centro de Extensión Artística y Cultural (Center for Artistic and Cultural Extension) of the University of Chile in November, uniting over 60 orchestras from North, Central, and South America, and the Iberian Peninsula. League President and CEO, Simon Woods, gave a keynote speech entitled “Leading Change Boldly: Transformation in a Complex World,” which closed the conference. The conference featured presentations by field leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Venezuela, and the United States.

“Latin American countries are filled with music, and its orchestras are a vital part of that landscape,” says Woods. “They are vibrant and creative organizations who are deeply focused on their artistic growth and social impact—and being present at their first gathering was an honor and an inspiration. We are thrilled to partner with RIOS to for this historic opportunity to share experience and ensure that all our orchestras thrive and grow in the future.”

RIOS Director, Francisco Varela, commented: “We’re extremely pleased to launch this partnership with the League of American Orchestras, an organization that has pioneered the type of advocacy and support for the orchestra world that we aspire to achieve with RIOS in our region. We look forward to learn from the vast accumulated experience of the League, and to share and collaborate together for the promotion and sustainability of our institutions and symphonic music.¨

As a part of this new relationship, RIOS orchestras will receive League memberships through September 2028, with access to all member benefits and resources. Over the next few years, RIOS will translate some of the League’s member resources into Spanish, beginning with the popular Music Director Search Handbook. The Spanish-language version of this Handbook is available for download now. The League’s magazine, Symphony, also published its first bilingual article in Spanish and English in June. Further collaborations will include conference sessions, articles, and other forms of exchange.ed to a national database of youth orchestra repertoire. Selected works will also be showcased through the League’s website and social channels.

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On Friday, December 5, the 185 global parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will vote on final approval of new international rules for the pernambuco wood used for bows for stringed instruments. Under the proposal advanced today:

• Bows will continue to move free of permit requirements when crossing borders for performances, repairs, and other specific activities that do not result in a change of ownership.
• Starting in early March 2026, specialized permits will be required for all international sales of existing and new bows, requiring proof that the wood was harvested before the species went under international protection in 2007.
• Global governments and musical instrument stakeholders will partner on actions to strengthen legal compliance, develop an identifying system for available wood and bows, and support a sustainable future for the species.

Brazil–the only country in which pernambuco grows–had proposed listing the species at the highest level of CITES protections, in Appendix I of the treaty, which would have restricted travel and trade in most circumstances. In the past week, a working group of CITES Parties deliberated over the course of six meetings that entailed more than ten hours of debate to reach a solution that balances conservation concerns with ongoing cultural activity. Under the detailed policy proposal awaiting a final vote, the species will remain in Appendix II, providing flexibility and support for ongoing sales and use of bows.

Once approved, the new requirements for international sales will be the subject of detailed guidance issued by global governments. New rules will go into place within 90 days of this Friday’s vote. The U.S. delegation was a leading voice at the negotiations in support of a balanced solution and has pledged to help makers and bow owners understand how the new international rules for buying and selling bows will work, and which documents will be required for all existing bows.

Heather Noonan, the League of American Orchestras’ Vice President, Advocacy, played a leadership role throughout the unfolding debates in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and spoke today on behalf of global music stakeholders as the proposal was considered. In the lead-up and throughout the Conference of the Parties, the League partnered closely with the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species, the American Federation of Musicians, International Federation of Musicians, the Association of British Orchestras, NAMM, and coordinated action by nearly 90 international music organizations that collaborated to inform the discussions. We are grateful to the Ibero-American Network of Symphony Orchestras (RIOS) and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra for their deep partnership in pursuit of a policy solution, and to the many League members that have participated in the League’s ongoing Know Your Bow campaign.

Stay tuned. We will keep orchestras informed after a final vote is taken, and will support the essential next steps for navigating new rules for commerce and opportunities for continued action in support of conservation. Find more background on our Pernambuco Policy Resource page.

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In This Issue

• Shutdown Ends, Advocacy and Federal Action Continues
• Latest News on NEA Grants Process
• Action Next Week on Worldwide Use of Bows
• Major Programmatic Transfers from U.S. Department of Education
• Individual Giving Adjusts as Tax Policies Change
• Visa Processing Address Changes

Shutdown Ends, Advocacy and Federal Action Continues

The longest U.S. federal shutdown ended last week, and policymakers need to know what their constituents care about and how their communities are faring. It doesn’t require a crisis to get in touch—in fact, the best initial point of contact is a proactive one. Now is an optimal time to engage your elected officials and show them your orchestra in action. Let policymakers and their staff know what kind of community events are taking place and invite them to get better acquainted with the work your orchestra does—on stage and off, and let us know how those interactions go so we can keep reinforcing each other’s work! The League’s Playing Your Part guide to advocacy has all the tips and tools you need.

Latest News on NEA Grants Process

As orchestras begin to receive FY26 award notifications, the League continues to update its dedicated page about the NEA Grants Process to reflect the latest implications of court action, funding cycles, and what we know about how executive actions affect grantee compliance requirements. In addition to updates to that page, the League also continues to add guidance documents to our Resources for Navigating the Changing Landscape.

Action Next Week on Worldwide Use of Bows

String players and music stakeholders worldwide are engaged in essential conversations about the future of the wood used in many bows. The 185 global parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are preparing to vote next week on the rules for Pernambuco wood, next steps for the CITES Musical Instrument Certificates, and a host of broader conservation policies. The League will attend the November convening of the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where conversations will unfold on a proposal by Brazil to list Pernambuco at the highest level of protection, requiring permits for all international travel with Pernambuco bows in use by many musicians, and placing a near-ban on international sales of existing and new bows. The League has been speaking up on these issues in collaboration with a wide range of international stakeholders, including NAMM, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, the Ibero-American Network of Symphony Orchestras, and many others. Keep up with all developments in the League’s Pernambuco Policy Resource Page and find out how to participate in our long-term Know Your Bow efforts.

Major Programmatic Transfers from U.S. Department of Education

This week, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) signed six interagency agreements to transfer management of several programs to the Departments of Labor, Interior, State, and Health and Human Services. The Department of Labor will assume management of the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education programs, which includes the Office of Well-Rounded Education and administers all of the grant programs authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). For federal arts policy advocates, this program includes Titles I, II, IV-A, and the Assistance for Arts Education program.  

A Q and A indicates that the Department of Labor will provide grant administration services, including managing competitions, while the USDE “will maintain all statutory responsibilities and will continue its oversight of these programs.” The Q and A also indicates that states “will continue receiving all title formula funds — including those that support low-income students, teachers, academic enrichment, and after-school programs. States will now receive these funds from DOL.” This agreement commences immediately and remains in effect until terminated.

Arts advocates are urging Congress to protect and sustain essential federal funding that supports access to a complete education for all students. You can speak up using the tools available in the League’s FY26 Arts Education campaign. 

Individual Giving Adjusts as Tax Policies Change

Philanthropy is essential fuel for the work orchestras do in communities nationwide. Many donors are changing their year-end giving plans now, before new tax policies kick in, and are also considering shifts to giving strategies for 2026. New information is available in the Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s latest quarterly report on giving, the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ one-pager overview on the new charitable deduction for non-itemizers, and the Benefactor Group’s latest article, The Tax Code Is Changing; How Will Donors Respond? You can find these and other resources in the League’s Philanthropic Trends Resource Center. 

Visa Processing Address Changes: Grace Period Ends Next Week

Following the government shutdown, those engaged in the artist visa process are watching for even longer delays from start to finish. The requirements for how to file petitions and pay related fees have changed significantly in recent months and the very latest change involves where to file O and P visa petitions. After more than two years of arts petitioners adjusting to a single service center in Texas, USCIS has expanded the locations where petitions must be sent, and there are numerous factors that determine the correct location for each type of petition. Getting the details right is essential, otherwise USCIS will reject a petition and precious time will be lost. Make sure to catch up on the League’s latest news alerts from our Artists from Abroad website to learn more.

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Dear Friends,

As we approach Thanksgiving, I am feeling incredibly grateful for the people and orchestras whose dedication and artistry make our field so extraordinary. This fall, I have had the privilege of visiting several orchestras across the country and I continue to be inspired by the creativity and innovation taking place throughout our field, despite the many uncertainties of the current time. Each orchestra, in its unique way, strengthens our collective work and helps keep orchestral music vibrant and relevant in today’s world.

These visits are also a powerful reminder of why the League’s work is so vital. Through your support, the League connects orchestras and all those who work within and around them—fostering shared learning, collaboration, and a sense of common purpose that helps our field learn, adapt, and move forward together. I am pleased to share highlights of the League’s most recent work in support of the artform we all love—from national advocacy in Washington, D.C. to initiatives strengthening orchestras and the communities they serve.

A new Administration always brings a certain amount of change, but the scope and pace of activity since January has been particularly intense. From executive orders to changes in tax and visa policies, the League’s D.C. team has been hard at work keeping members informed via policy newsletters, webinars, peer calls, and in direct email correspondence. Alongside our counterparts in the arts and humanities, we are interpreting new guidance, strategizing how to maintain support for the arts, and continuing to equip orchestras with new resources for navigating the changing landscape.

The League’s most recent Donor Town Hall offered an inspiring look at the intersection of popular and orchestral music, featuring Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, composer, and longtime arts advocate Ben Folds in conversation with Alan Valentine, League board member and President & CEO of the Nashville Symphony. Together, they explored Ben’s lifelong love of orchestras, his passion for supporting the arts, and the magic that happens when orchestral and popular music come together. If you weren’t able to join us live, you can watch a short video clip (password ORCH2025OCTTH) to enjoy some of the most memorable moments from this engaging discussion.

This January, more than 100 orchestra executive directors will gather in New York City for Midwinter Managers Meeting—a favorite opportunity to learn, connect, and share ideas. Our featured speaker this year is Laura MacDonald, President of Benefactor Group and one of the nation’s leading experts on fundraising and philanthropy. Laura will take us inside The State of Philanthropy, sharing data-driven insights, emerging trends, and real-world strategies to help orchestra leaders adapt, stay resilient, and inspire giving in today’s evolving landscape.

We’re excited to launch a brand-new professional development series from the League—Orchestra Intensives. These four-day, deep-dive programs are designed to help orchestra professionals strengthen their skills and expand their knowledge in key areas of orchestra administration. Applications are now open for the first in the series, the Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive, made possible through the generous support of The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. 

This year marks 50 years of the League’s Youth Orchestra Division (YOD)—five decades of championing youth orchestras as vital cultural assets that nurture talent and enrich communities. To celebrate, the League is launching Composing Our Tomorrow, a nationwide initiative empowering youth orchestras across the country to commission, perform, and share new works. Also, in honor of the volunteer leader who helped shape the YOD from the very beginning, we are introducing the inaugural Betty Utter Community Impact Award, and inviting each youth orchestra to recognize their own “Betty Utter”—a local changemaker who has made an extraordinary impact on their community.

The League’s 2026 Conference plans are underway! Member pre-sale opens in late November with the launch of Destination Baltimore. We know our delegates will love Baltimore’s historic charm and eclectic arts culture, and we’re looking forward to a great turnout. Our thanks go out to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for serving as gracious and supportive hosts. Destination Baltimore pre-sale runs through January 8—hope to see you there!

Thank you for your continued support and your belief in the transformative power of orchestras.

With gratitude,

Simon Woods
President and CEO
League of American Orchestras

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New York, NY (November 7, 2025) – Sarah Generes will join the League of American Orchestras’ Leadership Team as Vice President, Development, League President and CEO Simon Woods announced today. Generes will oversee all development activities for the League, working to raise the critical funds needed each year by the League for programs and activities in support of the orchestra field and the art form. She will also be a focal point for development colleagues in member orchestras across the country, providing them with resources, information, and convenings that support their work to secure philanthropic support for their orchestras.

“Sarah’s commitment to the mission of orchestras is easily apparent,” said Woods. “Her success at Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music is the capstone of a long commitment to strengthen the classical music field through philanthropy. I’m excited to work alongside her to build on that success for the League and the entire orchestral field.”

Generes said, “I am thrilled to join the League and support its mission to champion America’s orchestras. This is an exciting opportunity to build partnerships to sustain and grow the vital work of orchestras across the country, and I look forward to collaborating with the League’s talented team and our dedicated supporters to help ensure a vibrant future for orchestral music.”

The League’s Leadership Team comprises Simon Woods; Andrew Clark, Vice President, Finance and Administration; Rachel Rossos Gallant, Vice President, Marketing and Membership; Heather Noonan, Vice President, Advocacy; Caen Thomason-Redus, Vice President, Inclusion and Learning; and Karen Yair, Vice President, Research and Resources.

The national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience, the League of American Orchestras is comprised of more than 1,800 orchestra, institutional, and individual members.

Sarah Generes is an accomplished performing arts leader with over 25 years of experience spanning fundraising, strategic planning, artistic operations, and team leadership. Her success in the discovery, cultivation, and stewardship of high net-worth donors is grounded in data-driven, donor-centric engagement and is strengthened by her deep passion for classical music.

As Director of Development at Northwestern University’s Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music, she served as a senior member of the dean’s leadership team, overseeing all aspects of fundraising strategy and operations. Under her direction, the school successfully exceeded its $65 million campaign goal—raising $72 million—and she recently led the school to its most successful fundraising year ever.

Before entering the world of higher education, Sarah spent 20 years working in performing arts organizations throughout Chicago including Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Ravinia Festival. As Lyric Opera’s Director of Classical and Crossover Programming, she produced the nationally televised Chicago Voices gala, artistic directed by Renée Fleming and featuring musicians such as John Prine, Lupe Fiasco, Matthew Polenzani, Shemekia Copeland and Michelle Williams. In that role, she also collaborated with acclaimed improv comedy troupe The Second City to produce The Second City Guide to the Opera and Longer! Louder! Wagner!

Sarah holds degrees in English and vocal music, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University, and a certificate in Non-Profit Management through Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business.

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“As someone whose earliest experience of music was playing in a youth orchestra,” says Simon Woods, President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, “I can say authentically that youth orchestras are one of the most important and inspiring facets of American orchestral life. Our Youth Orchestra Division is full of bold, passionate leaders, building on the legacy of those who came before them, and deeply committed to young people. This project is a perfect way to capture the essence of youth orchestras as we celebrate their anniversary: empowering young people to lead, to create, and to remind us that the vitality of orchestras rests in their hands.” 

The centerpiece of the celebration, Composing Our Tomorrow, empowers youth orchestras across the country to commission and premiere short, celebratory works, expanding the repertoire for youth ensembles and highlighting the next generation of creators. With the philosophy that “All music was new once,” the project also aims to connect young musicians with living composers, giving students a window into the artistic process of creating new music.  

“Some youth orchestras have been commissioning for years; for others, this will be their very first time,” adds Lindsey Nova, Executive Director of Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (Pittsburgh, PA) and Chair of the Youth Orchestra Division. “Either way, the message is clear: commissioning isn’t just for the big-budget world of professional orchestras. It’s for anyone who believes that the future of music starts right here, with young people daring to create.” 

The Betty Utter Community Impact Award honors the legacy of Betty Utter, co-founder of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra and founder of the League’s Youth Orchestra Division. In the spirit of Betty’s energy, determination, and grassroots leadership, each youth orchestra is invited to recognize their own “Betty Utter”—a local changemaker such as a dedicated parent volunteer, board member, or teacher who has made an extraordinary impact on their community. 

50th Anniversary celebrations will continue at the League’s National Conference in June 2026, where the Youth Orchestra Division and the Education and Community Engagement Constituency will collaborate on a special pre-Conference half-day meeting. The League will also spotlight member Youth Orchestras in its communications efforts during the anniversary year, elevating local programs through a national social media campaign (@orchleague). Previously unreleased archival material will be also curated and posted on the League’s website, including information about YOD’s founding and history.  

More About Composing Our Tomorrow 

• Launches for Youth Orchestra Division member orchestras on November 17, 2025 
• Orchestras commit to participation by May 1, 2026 
• A full list of participants will be announced at the League’s 2026 National Conference in Baltimore 
• Premieres will take place from 2026–2029, with highlights shared annually on League platforms and at YOD sessions at Conference 

Participating orchestras will submit scores, recordings, and program notes, which will be added to a national database of youth orchestra repertoire. Selected works will also be showcased through the League’s website and social channels.

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New York, NY (October 28, 2025) – The League of American Orchestras announces a series of four-day Orchestra Intensives to build the skills and knowledge of professionals around specific roles in orchestra administration. The first in the series, the Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive, will take place in Bloomington, IN in March 2026. This will be followed by an Artistic Administrators Intensive in Fall 2026 and an Operations Intensive in Spring 2027. The program is made possible by a generous grant from The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc.

These new programs will take a deep dive into specialized career paths, narrowing the focus and allowing an in-depth approach. The Intensives are geared to people new to and/or interested in advancing in a career in orchestra personnel management, especially orchestra personnel managers of smaller-budget orchestras and orchestra personnel staff of larger-budget orchestras, as well as to those more broadly interested in pursuing an orchestra administrative career that includes personnel management. Orchestra Intensives will sit alongside the longstanding and highly regarded Essentials of Orchestra Management program as the League’s major investment in professional development for the orchestra field.

“This program arises directly out of feedback from leaders in the field about the need for a wider pool of applicants for certain jobs specific to orchestras,” said Simon Woods, President and CEO of the League. “In the largest orchestras, we have seen a pattern of strong administrative leaders moving from one orchestra to another without enough new emerging talent entering the field to satisfy orchestras’ needs. This program seeks to address that.  Orchestra Intensives will deepen and broaden the rank of professionals with the necessary backgrounds to take on these roles that are so vital to orchestras putting great music on stage and executing their missions.”

About the Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive

The Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive will introduce participants to the real-life opportunities and challenges that orchestra personnel managers face today and highlight the creative, adaptive, and community-oriented skills that they need to nurture and support their creative workforce and build artistic capacity. Curriculum topics will include musician management and hiring, collective bargaining agreements, the audition and tenure process, building inclusive cultures, conflict resolution, employment law, and more. The program provides participants with the opportunity to learn key skills and gain expertise in orchestra personnel management, build leadership capacity to strengthen their orchestra’s personnel operations, and join a dynamic network of professionals. The course includes individual reflection and sharing with peer groups as well as open discussion and practical scenario exercises.

The Faculty Leaders are Shana Bey, Director of Orchestra Management at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Beth Paine, Director of Orchestra Personnel at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Further guest faculty will be announced later. This Intensive will be held in Bloomington, IN, March 16-19, 2026, in collaboration with Arts Administration programs at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University.

“The Arts Administration programs at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs are excited to host the League’s inaugural Orchestra Personnel Management Intensives,” says Karen Gahl-Mills, Director of Arts Administration Programs at the O’Neill School. “We are pleased to connect our leadership education expertise and our facilities, familiar to so many orchestral musicians who studied at our renowned Jacobs School of Music, with this important training initiative.”

Key Dates:

• Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive: March 16-19, 2026
• Applications for the 20 available spots are open now. Scholarships are available for qualifying individuals.
• Application deadline: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
• Accepted participants will be notified by Thursday, December 18, 2025
• Welcome Zoom meeting for accepted participants: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

The League’s Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive is made possible by a generous grant from The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc.

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