NACUSA was founded by Henry Hadley in 1933 as the National Association of Composers and Conductors. It is one of the oldest organizations devoted to the promotion and performance of music by Americans. Many of the most distinguished composers of the 20th Century have been among its members. NACUSA sponsors several concerts each year that feature music by its members. NACUSA has chapters in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

NACUSA/Virginia was founded in 1997. It performs one or more chamber music concerts each year that feature music by its members. Past seasons have included concerts at Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, the University of Richmond, the Virginia Beach Contemporary Arts Center, the Richmond Public Library, Tidewater Community College, the College of William and Mary, and the Chesapeake Central Library.