MUSIC

At the luncheon opening the 42nd national conference of the American Symphony Orchestra League, in New York today, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will receive first place in the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Awards. The awards recognize “adventuresome programming of contemporary music” for the 1986-87 season. The first-place award carries an engraved plaque and a cash prize of $3,000. Other orchestras receiving awards are the New York Philharmonic and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (which share took second place), while third place goes to the St. Louis Symphony. For “strongest commitment to new American music,” the ASCAP/John S. Edwards Award is being awarded to the Philadelphia Orchestra.