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Carnets "Play the World" Grants
Supporting the Orchestra Industry with Easy to Apply for Grants
Each year we award Carnets "Play the World" Grants to the League of American Orchestra member orchestras that promote the orchestra industry in America through their international tours. The Grants are easy to apply for and cover virtually the entire cost of Conference registration fees (or travel expenses) averaging $500 per Grant recipient. Executive Directors, Operations Managers, General Managers and Tour Managers should apply for this monetary award since, in many cases, they would not be able to attend the Annual Conference due to budget constraints.
Our Long Tradition
In 2002, Boomerang worked with the League of American Orchestras to initiate the Carnets “Play the World” ATA Carnet program for orchestras and musicians touring internationally. The ATA Carnet program minimized the major financial obstacle individual musicians encountered when pursuing itineraries outside their orchestra’s international tour schedule.
In 2010, we began offering the Grants to cover registration costs to the League’s National Conference. Thirty-seven grants have been awarded totaling over $20,000.
Details of the Grants for registration costs are:
- General, Operations, and Tour Managers and Executive Directors from League member orchestras are eligible.
- Grants are awarded to orchestras with a history of international touring or that have an international tour scheduled. Orchestra eligibility for the Grant is once every 5 years. Exceptions will be considered.
- The Grant is for the League of American Orchestra’s annual Conference registration costs or comparable travel expenses. (or the Midwinter Managers’ meeting) If applied for, Grants can be awarded for both.
- The easy application will be available online several months prior to the Mid-Winter Managers' Meeting and the annual Conference.
Grant recipients Agree to:
- provide us with a copy of their League Conference | MWMM Registration form following notification of the award,
- be available for a photo during the 2025 Conference Exhibit hours,
- pick up their grant check during the 2025 Conference Exhibit hours, and
- provide a brief (3-5 sentences) written summary of the benefits of attendance at Conference.
We cannot over emphasize the importance of professional education for orchestra operations professionals. A Carnets “Play the World” Grant supports your need to attend these important, educational events. The easy application is here.
Past Recipients with Curt Wilson, Pres & CEO (L-R): Troy Peters, Music Dir, YOSA, Rosina Cannizzaro, Exec. Dir, Vermont Youth Orch, Steven Payne, Exec. Dir, Oakland East Bay Symph. See more.
Quotes from Past Grant Recipients:
"Because of the "Play the World" grant I was able to connect with colleagues across the world! Thanks, ATA Carnet / boomerang carnets®, for investing in my professional development and our orchestra community." Ian Harwood, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
"Thank you to ATA Carnet for making my attendance possible at Conference, and for your continued support to touring orchestras!" Sonja Winkler, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
"Thank you for awarding me a Carnets "Play the World" scholarship to assist with the costs of attending the upcoming League of Americas Conference. I am very interested to learn more about carnets, and what will be needed when we begin planning international tours again." Alice Sauro, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
"Thank you so much for awarding Empire State Youth Orchestra a Carnets"Play the World" Grant to assist with our first ever Wind Orchestra Hungary Tour. I truly appreciate your support." Rebecca Calos, Empire State Youth Symphony
"I am so grateful for this opportunity to attend conference and congratulate boomerang carnets® on supporting the field in this very special way. Thank you again." Steven Payne, Oakland East Bay Symphony
"Thanks again to the ATA Carnet team for support of the industry, and I'm quite certain we will be in touch soon regarding international touring!" Angela Cassette, Florida Orchestra
Grant Application
Prior Grant Recipients
For further details please contact Moira Wilson, Grant Program Coordinator.