At the heart of the Forum's work is providing services to professional members. In our chapters across the country and in our national office, staff members serve as a helpful and friendly resource to composers. In addition to consulting with you via phone and email, the Forum regularly convenes a wide range of workshops, covering such topics as financial management, artistic partnerships across disciplines, grant writing, and music copying. Many chapters also organize enrichment opportunities, including gatherings with visiting composers and open rehearsals with leading local ensembles. To learn more about specific professional development services in your area, please click here.

The American Composers Forum has partnered with the Amateur Chamber Music Players (ACMP) to create an online resource where chamber music lovers can find access to contemporary chamber music--with features tailored specifically to the needs of amateur players.

It's a comprehensive, one-stop resource for chamber music works. Ratings inform players of the approximate technical difficulty of a piece. And interactive capabilities promote the creation of an international online community where music-lovers can post questions and suggestions, and share their opinions and recommendations. The database is being actively promoted to more than 5,000 ACMP members, as well as through professional chamber music organizations such as Chamber Music America.

This resource is designed to be a powerful platform for you, as a composer, to reach out in a direct and interactive way to a largely untapped market and potential patrons for your music. This marketing tool is free of charge and available for use by any composer of chamber music works.

It's quick and easy to upload information about yourself, your chamber music works, as well as links to your website, scores and audio files. For further information and detailed instructions, click here.

Music Notation Software Discount

Forum members receive a discount on Finale, MakeMusic, Inc.'s music-notation software. Finale software is available in both Macintosh and PC formats.

Database Services

The Forum maintains a comprehensive member database that may be drawn upon by composers and performers wishing to establish collaborative relationships, and by presenters, community organizations, and private individuals interested in awarding commissions or mounting performances.

New Forum members are asked to fill out profiles, which are entered into the database. All members are invited to update their profiles at any time. Member listings include types of music composed, instruments played, and other relevant skills (e.g., arranger, copyist, teacher, administrator, consultant). Many members have also submitted additional biographical data and artist statements. The database may be sorted in a variety of ways, enabling it to serve the needs of different kinds of users.

Members and nonmembers are able to purchase mailing lists drawn from the database for a nominal fee (members: 10¢ per name and a $15 set-up/shipping charge; nonmembers: 20¢ per name and a $25 set-up/shipping charge). These lists can be printed on Avery 5160 labels or provided electronically (ASCII comma delimited).

Lists can comprise virtually any configuration of the database, including but not limited to geographical delimiters, members vs. nonmembers, composers, performers, and organizations. The Forum staff will be able to assist you in determining your needs. Please note: Purchase of labels entitles the buyer to a one-time use only.

Innova Recordings also maintains a database of radio stations and media critics, from which labels are available for purchase.