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American Composers Forum Los Angeles Chapter records, 2000-2005
1974
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Title: American Composers Forum Los Angeles Chapter records
Collection number: 1974
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
13.7 linear ft.
(21 document boxes and 4 record cartons)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 2000-2005
Date (inclusive): 1906-2007
Abstract: The American Composers Forum is a national organization that provides opportunities for composers to create and engage their
communities in artistic creation and performance. The organization supports composers at all stages in their careers through
grants, commissions, performance programs, and educational workshops. The Forum also works to foster an appreciation for new
music while developing the next generation of composers, musicians, and communities. Included in the collection are administrative
documents covering Heidi Lesemann’s tenure with ACF-LA, as well as distribution materials and e-mail correspondence between
members regarding various outreach projects and music events in the Los Angeles area. Furthermore, a series dedicated to Leonard
Stein—musicologist and former director of the Arnold Schoenberg Institute at the University of Southern California— provides
a wealth of research materials on pioneering contemporary music composers Arnold Schoenberg and Pierre Boulez.
All series are arranged alphabetically.
In 1973, a group of graduate students in composition at the University of Minnesota created the Minnesota Composers Forum
using a $400 grant from the University’s Student Club Activities Fund. In 1996, the organization changed its name to the American
Composers Forum, and eventually established local chapters in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta,
Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Through granting, commissioning, and performance programs, the over 2,000 member
national Forum provides composers at all stages of their careers with valuable resources for professional and artistic development.
By linking non-profit arts organizations with composers and performers, the Forum fosters a demand for new music, enriches
communities, and helps develop the next generation of composers, musicians, and music patrons.
The Los Angeles chapter was created by Heidi Lesemann—an experienced worker in various non-profit arts organizations—who served as director from 2000 to 2005, with composer Karl Montevirgen as assistant director. Their tenure with the ACF resulted in a wealth of outreach and education programs including the Subito professional advancement grant program for composers, as well as educational residencies at various K-12 schools. Furthermore, they established a strong community of composers, performers and educators in the Los Angeles area through the Composers Salons workshop series and the New Music LA annotated calendar of new music events in Southern California. While the chapter initially received financial support from organizations such as the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, these funds grew increasingly difficult to come by in later years, and the chapter now functions primarily on a volunteer-based level through online message boards and e-mail listservs.
The Los Angeles chapter was created by Heidi Lesemann—an experienced worker in various non-profit arts organizations—who served as director from 2000 to 2005, with composer Karl Montevirgen as assistant director. Their tenure with the ACF resulted in a wealth of outreach and education programs including the Subito professional advancement grant program for composers, as well as educational residencies at various K-12 schools. Furthermore, they established a strong community of composers, performers and educators in the Los Angeles area through the Composers Salons workshop series and the New Music LA annotated calendar of new music events in Southern California. While the chapter initially received financial support from organizations such as the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, these funds grew increasingly difficult to come by in later years, and the chapter now functions primarily on a volunteer-based level through online message boards and e-mail listservs.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
COLLECTION CONTAINS DIGITAL MATERIALS: Special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. To access digital
materials you must notify the reference desk in advance of your visit.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated in 2011 by Heidi Lesemann, director of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Composers Forum
from 2000 to 2005.
[Identification of item], American Composers Forum, Los Angeles Chapter Records (Collection 1974). UCLA Library Special Collections,
Charles E. Young Research Library.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
7041817
Processed by Mike D’Errico in the
Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT) , with assistance from Jillian Cuellar.
The processing of this collection was generously supported by
Arcadia
funds.
Collection primarily consists of promotional materials, administrative documents, financial reports, membership files, program
reports, and correspondence created during Heidi Lesemann’s tenure with the American Composers Forum Los Angeles chapter,
2000 to 2005. There are materials related to the Los Angeles chapter’s formation, annual budget reports, planning for the
chapter website, and membership e-mail lists. Of particular research interest are the
New Music LA calendars—a comprehensive bi-monthly calendar of music events in the Southern California area, featuring a guest editorial
focusing on issues of local concern. Also included in the collection are personal composer applications for outreach initiatives
such as the Composers Suitcase educational residency and the Subito grant program, with proposed projects and sample curriculum.
The following sources provide additional information on the classical and “New Music” scenes in Los Angeles:
Leonard Stein Papers, 1930-2004 (PASC-M 270) at UCLA Library Special Collections
Lawrence Morton papers, 1908-1987 (1522) at UCLA Library Special Collections
Monday Evening Concerts of Los Angeles Programs, 1971- (1160) at UCLA Library Special Collections
Ojai Music Festival Records, 1940- (PASC-M 277) at UCLA Library Special Collections
Betty Freeman papers, 1965-2008 (MSS 227) at UCSD Library Special Collections
Leonard Stein papers, 1942-1983 (MSS 219) at UCSD Library Special Collections
Peter Yates papers, 1927-1976 (MSS 0014) at UCSD Library Special Collections