The Minnesota Orchestra Reading Sessions and Composer Institute, presented each season by the Minnesota Orchestra and American Composers Forum in cooperation with the American Music Center, provides the opportunity for up to nine composers from across the nation to participate in an intensive week-long immersion into the world of a major American symphony orchestra.

The Institute, which to our knowledge is unique in the nation, features orchestral reading sessions and more than 25 targeted workshops with leading music industry professionals from New York and the Twin Cities. Seminar topics include many not offered elsewhere, including advanced instrumental and orchestral writing, copyrights, commissioning, publishing, music preparation, public speaking, union orchestra regulations, community residencies, and working in educational settings, among others.

Prior to and following the reading sessions, composers receive feedback from conductors, their fellow composers, Aaron Jay Kernis, and Minnesota Orchestra members. Many area composers who are members of the American Composers Forum also audit the seminars free of charge.

Beginning with the 2003-04 season, a Composer Institute alumnus will be invited to compose a piece for each Young People's concert season.

All reading sessions are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.