Strengthen your professional network through faciliated peer-to-peer conversations that connect you with your counterparts at other orchestras. ACSO's Virtual Peer Forums (VPFs) offer a space to exchange ideas, ask questions, share challenges, and offer best practices. Most importantly, they can help you strengthen your professional network and find colleagues to rely on for support.
VPFs are free for members and $10 for not-yet-members. Registration is required. Date, times, and facilitators are subject to change. Please review our attendance policy and antitrust guidelines below.
Email office@acso.org with questions or registration assistance.
Virtual Peer Forum Schedule
Tuesday, March 25 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT
BOARD MEMBERS OF PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRAS
Facilitator: Anne-Marie Spataru, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Tuesday, April 1 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT
COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS BOARD & STAFF
Facilitator: Chelsea Chambers, Peninsula Symphony of Northern California
Tuesday, April 8 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT
DEVELOPMENT STAFF
Facilitator: Emily Rankin, Pacific Symphony
Tuesday, April 15 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT
MARKETING & PATRON SERVICES STAFF
Facilitator: Ellen Armour, Fresno Philharmonic
Tuesday, April 29 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT
ARTISTIC LEADERS, CONDUCTORS, COMPOSERS, AND MUSICIANS
Facilitator: Ryan Murray, Auburn Symphony; Modesto Symphony; Music in the Mountains
Tuesday, May 20 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM PT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WITH BUDGETS UNDER $1 MILLION
Facilitator: Kevin Eberle-Noel, Redlands Symphony
ACSO Peer Group Attendance Policy
ACSO may maintain up to twelve Peer Groups for Orchestra Professionals (subject to change). Peer Group meets online throughout the year and in-person at ACSO Conferences. Between meetings, group members can connect, share information, and solve mutual problems. Each group has a meeting facilitator and an ACSO staff liaison.
- CEOs of Professional Orchestras with Budgets over $1 million
- Executive Directors of Professional Orchestras with Budgets Under $1 million
- Youth Orchestra Staff and Board Leaders
- Community Orchestra Staff and Board Leaders
- Music Festival Staff and Board Leaders
- Development Staff
- Operations Staff
- Education and Community Engagement Staff
- Finance & HR Staff
- Marketing & Patron Services Staff
- Board Members/Trustees
- Artistic Leaders, Composers, Music Directors, & Musicians
ACSO Peer Group meetings (virtual or in-person) are only open to individuals who hold the relevant roles within an orchestra or music ensemble. You do not have to be part of an ACSO member orchestra to attend, but you must be associated with an orchestra or music ensemble. Because sensitive or confidential information may be shared, peer group meetings are not recorded and are not open to the public, including business members or other companies, unless specifically invited. Please do not register for a peer group meeting if you are not part of that peer group or your registration will be canceled.
Antitrust Guidelines
ACSO commits to comply with federal and state antitrust laws, which are designed to protect this country’s free competitive economy, without stifling reasonable conversations among peers.
Within ACSO-sanctioned programs and communication channels, we ask participants to avoid any discussions or conduct that might violate antitrust laws, raise an appearance of impropriety, or might later be viewed as evidence that competitors had coordinated or “signaled” one another about their respective market intentions.
For example, avoid discussions about specific prices for tickets/events or other services and products and avoid discussions about specific amounts of salary, wages, or benefits paid to any employee.
Review the League of American Orchestras antitrust guidelines for the orchestra sector.