Participants in the League of American Orchestras’ 2024 Essentials of Orchestra Management program at Juilliard in New York City. Photo by Juan Patino Photography.

The League of American Orchestras has announced a unified application process at americanorchestras.getacceptd.com for its Essentials of Orchestra Management seminar and the Anne Parsons Leadership Program. Individuals are invited to submit materials for consideration to the program(s) for which they are eligible via a single application; applicants may apply to both programs. The application deadline is Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Essentials of Orchestra Management takes place July 22-31, 2025, at the Juilliard School in New York City. Essentials is a ten-day professional development program designed to equip early and mid-career orchestra leaders with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to excel as leaders and catalysts for change. Over 600 individuals have participated in Essentials since 2000; many of them hold leadership positions in orchestras. Participants will experience the rich cultural life of New York City while gaining an in-depth overview of orchestra management. They will develop career networks and build the skills and mindset to become innovative and successful arts leaders. Participants will earn a non-credit professional certificate from Juilliard Extension. Early and mid-career professionals, musicians, career changers, and students are eligible to apply, as well as experienced administrators who wish to deepen their knowledge in all aspects of an orchestral organization. The League especially invites applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field. Learn more and register at https://americanorchestras.org/event/2025-essentials-of-orchestra-management/. For additional information on Essentials of Orchestra Management, contact David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs, at dstyers@americanorchestras.org.

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program, which runs from June 2025 to June 2026, supports promising women and nonbinary orchestra professionals, creates and trains a new network of established orchestra leaders to mentor and support them, and builds a wider pool of candidates for leadership roles in the country’s orchestras. The Anne Parsons Leadership Program welcomes applications from women and nonbinary individuals who have either 5 years of professional experience in the orchestra field or are currently in an executive leadership role in orchestras or comparable music organizations. Six participants will be selected based on their demonstrated experience, vision for the field, and commitment to leading and serving American orchestras. An initiative from the League of American Orchestras, the program honors Anne Parsons, the orchestra field leader and mentor who passed away in 2022. Participation is free of charge. Learn more and register at https://americanorchestras.org/learn/learning-and-leadership-programs/anne-parsons-leadership-program/ For additional information on the Anne Parsons Leadership Program, contact Heather Briere, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs, at hbriere@americanorchestras.org.