American Composers Orchestra

Specializing in performing symphonic works strictly by American composers, the American Composers Orchestra was originally conceived in 1975 by composer Francis Thorne and conductor Dennis Russell Davies. Realizing that the majority of American-based orchestras failed to play works composed by Americans, the duo set out to correct the problem on their own. With Davies serving as the orchestra's principal conductor and music advisor, composer Nicolas Roussakis and conductor/flutist Paul Lustig Dunkel also signed on shortly thereafter, leading to the A.C.O.'s inaugural concert o...