The American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) was founded in 1938. It welcomes all composers as either associate or full members. The creation of ASMAC started with a various amount of composers and arrangers who were writing music for films, they were not getting the appreciation that they deserved and they decided to join together to make a group to promote their work and to educate the masses in their field of study. Members originally dubbed their group "The American Society of Music Arrangers" (ASMA), the predecessor to ASMAC. With eight studios hiring orchestras at the time of their creation, one of the group's first goals was to be fully employed. Another one of their early goals was to get royalties for their orchestrations, a goal that has still not been achieved in the year 2008. Other areas, where they have had more success, include: screen credit, better working conditions, improved union scales, even parking privileges, and anything they could think of to improve their lot.
Robert Russell Bennett was ASMA's first president. ASMA became ASMAC in 1987 recognizing the fact that most members were also practicing composers. The membership now numbers over 500 and has expanded to those who are, or have been, active in the preparation of music for movies, theatre, recording, television and live performances. ASMAC also holds workshops, seminars and gives scholarships to deserving students. The biggest event of the year for ASMAC is the Golden Score Awards Dinner, which features the
Golden Score Award (Composing), the
Irwin Kostal Award (Arranging) and/or the President's Award (Non-composing). ==Scholarships==