Richard Auldon Clark founded the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra in 1987, and as its artistic director and conductor has committed to premiering and recording the music of young composers, as well as that of more established artists whose works have been overlooked or forgotten. Hailed by the media as an "extraordinary ensemble of virtuosos," and credited with providing the "definitive versions of forgotten American masterpieces," the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra has been dedicated to innovative, exciting and multi-cultural programming.

   The MCO has premiered and recorded the music of such diverse composers as William Grant Still, Alec Wilder, Victor Herbert, Henry Cowell, Alan Hovhaness, Otto Luening, Dominick Argento, Randall Thompson, Eric Ewazen, David Amram and Dave Soldier. The MCO performs music of all genres with a special emphasis on contemporary American music. The MCO has toured for Allied Concert Services, Community Concerts and World Touring Productions, playing to audiences throughout the United States, Mexico and Asia. In New York City, the MCO maintains a busy performing and recording schedule. The MCO performs an average of eight concerts per season in New York City, presenting its "Mostly American" series at Merkin Concert Hall, appearing regularly on the popular concert series at Trinity Church on Wall Street and also producing an educational concert program for elementary school children from the Harlem area in conjunction with Riverbank State Park. Maestro Clark's ambitious recording plan has the orchestra undertake an average of three new CD titles each season.