(Credit: Brian Feinzimer)

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has announced that it is the recipient of a $2 million gift from Joan and Jeff Beal to establish the Joan and Jeff Beal Fund for Living Composers.

This new grant will aid in commissioning new works from living composers. The first two beneficiaries of this opportunity are composer Michael Abels, known for his work on “Get Out and “Us” and the opera “Omar,” and conductor / composer Eímear Noone, recognized for her work on “World of War Craft” and a total of 28 video games and films throughout her career. The former will be featured by the ensemble in 2025-26 and the latter will see her showcased in 2026-27.

“Having spent 30 years living and working in LA, we recognize the musicians of LACO are among the world’s finest – playing for blockbusters, games, and series by day, Vivaldi and Beethoven at night,” the Beals said in an official press release. “Los Angeles is also home to many of the world’s most brilliant and prolific composers, whose music reaches audiences worldwide. Only in Los Angeles could a meaningful bridge of these two worlds happen in such a dynamic way. We hope our gift will inspire many wonderful collaborations and concert experiences, which will enrich, sustain, and expand LACO as a pioneer in a new era of music for the concert stage.”

“On behalf of the entire LACO organization, we are deeply grateful and inspired by this incredibly generous and unique gift from Joan and Jeff Beal,” said Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Executive Director Ben Cadwallader. “The Joan and Jeff Beal Fund for Living Composers will not only provide LACO patrons in Los Angeles with the thrill of being among the first to discover the classical works from established and emerging composers actively working in the entertainment industry, but these newly commissioned pieces will then become available for chamber orchestras and audiences across the globe to experience for generations to come, as well.”