“Beyond Bars”

Creating ‘Non-Traditional’ Scores and Parts

May 18, 2026

4:00 PM ET

Staff Moderator: LaRob K. Rafael 

Featured Speaker: Mali Irene, Mazz Swift 

While creating and providing standard orchestral scores and parts remains a key component of being a broadly performed composer, more ensembles are increasingly exploring graphic notation and improvised scores. LaRob K. Rafael, Director of Composer Advancement at the American Composers Orchestra, will be joined by composers Mazz Swift and Mali Irene for a dynamic conversation on how to successfully navigate—and creatively thrive within—this expanding corner of new music.