American Music Center and Meet the Composer, two leading music service organizations, announced today their intention to merge into “a new advocacy and service organization, New Music USA.” More details will be forthcoming, as the merger still must be approved by boards and the courts. But this is tremendous news for both organizations, and no doubt a great deal of work has gone into its planning and execution.

But here, we’d like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank Joanne Hubbard Cossa, the President and CEO of American Music Center. Joanne has been a great friend to us; giving advice and expertise as part of our Musicians’ Advisory Group and offering space for panelists for the previous rounds of the Con Edison Musicians’ Residency.  Joanne will work in tandem with Ed Harsh of Meet the Composer through this year, and will then step down in December. We wish her all the best, and know she will leave her organization in good hands.