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ROCHESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA INC
ROCHESTER, NY · EIN 160765613 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A690 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Large ($10M-$50M) · rpo.org
revenue
$12.7M
expenses
$12.9M
net assets
$22.2M
employees
302
volunteers
239
program ratio
79%
mission · from form 990

TO INSPIRE, ENGAGE AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH MUSIC

profile · synthesized from sources

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is a professional orchestra based in Rochester, NY, performing a range of classical, pops, and special event concerts. It aims to enrich the community through live orchestral music, education programs, and community engagement initiatives. The RPO performs over 150 concerts annually, including performances for schools and community centers, and reaches up to 170,000 people each year.

named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

Around the Town
Concert series bringing music to various community venues across Rochester
Care & Wellness Initiative
Program engaging with healthcare and wellness settings through music performances and activities
Orchestral Program for Urban Students (OPUS)
Education program providing orchestral training and performance opportunities for urban youth
Philharmonics Series
Mainstage classical concert series featuring guest artists and soloists, led by Music Director Andreas Delfs at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Pops Series
Popular music concerts including tributes to artists like Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, and The Beatles, and film scores performed live, led by Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik
RPO For All
Community engagement initiative that brings concerts to schools and community centers, sponsored by M&T Bank
Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Youth orchestra program for advanced student musicians
orKIDStra
Concert series designed for young children and families
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
    • Delivering music education programs
      Engages over 30,000 individuals annually through dedicated education programs, including classroom performances, school concerts, the orKIDStra series, and digital education resources viewed over 500,000 times. Programs serve students from pre-K through grade 6 and include curriculum-aligned musical experiences.
    • Operating the Orchestral Program for Urban Students (OPUS)
      Co-sponsors and delivers the OPUS program, providing music education, mentorship, and live orchestral experiences to Rochester students, supported by $20,000 in city funding. Includes over 60 annual student engagements such as masterclasses, side-by-side performances, and guest artist visits.
  • Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
    • Commissioning and premiering new musical works
      Commissions contemporary composers to create new orchestral works and presents world premieres, such as Michael Torke’s composition performed at the opening of the 2026/2027 Philharmonics season.
  • Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
    • Presenting orchestral concerts and performances
      Produces approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts annually, including ticketed events, free community concerts, and special performances such as film scores, holiday pops, Broadway tributes, and collaborations with renowned guest artists. These performances reach up to 170,000 people across Rochester and surrounding areas.
  • Live Music Performances for Seniors and Isolated Populations 1 activity
    • Providing community engagement and wellness programs
      Offers community-centered initiatives such as the Around the Town concert series and Care & Wellness engagements, designed to connect diverse and multigenerational audiences through music in accessible settings.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$12.73M
Contributions & grants$8.78M69%
Program service revenue$3.70M29%
Investment income$125K1%
Other revenue$121K
expenses
Total expenses$12.86M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$8.81M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$27.65M
Cash$127K
Investments$2.65M
Liabilities$5.47M
Net assets$22.19M
Liquid reserves2.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -6.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 5
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JEFF TYZIK POPS CONDUCTOR 40 $270K
CURTIS LONG PRESIDENT & CEO 38 $240K
ROBERT DERMODY VP OF DEVELOPMENT 40 $169K
WESLEY NANCE BOARD MEMBER & MUSICIAN 27 $79K
LARS KIRVAN BOARD MEMBER & MUSICIAN 27 $55K
board members · 20
  • ALLY HIRANANDANI — BOARD MEMBER
  • BETSY RICE — BOARD MEMBER
  • BRIAN BENNETT — BOARD MEMBER
  • CATHERINE FRANGENBERG — BOARD MEMBER
  • CATHERINE GUELI — BOARD MEMBER
  • CINDY YANCEY — VICE CHAIR
  • DAISY ALGARIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • DEBORAH ONSLOW — BOARD MEMBER
  • DIANA CLARKSON — CHAIR
  • DR DIANE LU — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR EVA SAUER — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR GEORGE SCHWARTZ — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR JIM WATTERS — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR RALPH JOZEFOWICZ — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR SID SOBEL — BOARD MEMBER
  • EMERSON FULLWOOD — BOARD MEMBER
  • GEORGE DADDIS — BOARD MEMBER
  • JACK MCGOWAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JIM FULMER — BOARD MEMBER
  • KAREN KESSLER — SECRETARY
relationships · 23

Who they work with

  • City of Rochester Government — Receives $20,000 ArtsBloom grant from the City of Rochester to support the Orchestral Program for Urban Students (OPUS).
  • City of Rochester Partner — Collaborates on the City of Rochester Parks Series, bringing free orchestral performances to public parks.
  • Classical Mystery Tour Partner — Collaborates with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to perform a symphonic celebration of The Beatles.
  • ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Partner — Collaborates with the festival to present orchestral performances as part of the annual event.
  • Eastman Community Music School’s Pathways Program Partner — Collaborates with Eastman Community Music School’s Pathways Program to expand music education opportunities through OPUS.
  • Eastman Theatre Partner — Venue for RPO performances and artistic programming.
  • EnCompass Partner — Partners with EnCompass to deliver music education through the OPUS program.
  • Kimbo Coffee Funder — Sponsors the 2026-2027 concert season as the official coffee of the RPO.
  • Kimbo Coffee Partner — Sponsor of the 2026-2027 season.
  • M&T Bank Funder — Sponsors the RPO For All initiative, supporting community concerts and education programs.
  • M&T Bank Funder — Sponsors the RPO For All initiative, which includes concerts in schools and community centers.
  • M&T Bank Partner — Sponsor of the RPO For All initiative
  • M&T Bank Partner — Sponsor of the RPO For All initiative.
  • RCSD Partner — Partners with four Rochester City School District (RCSD) buildings to deliver music education through the OPUS program.
  • ROCmusic Partner — Collaborates with ROCmusic as part of the OPUS program to expand music education for Rochester students.
  • ROCmusic Collaborative Partner — RPO participates in the collaborative, with the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement representing the organization
  • Rochester Fringe Festival Partner — Collaborates with the RPO to present a special orchestral program during the festival.
  • Rochester Fringe Festival Partner — Collaborates with the Rochester Fringe Festival to present contemporary orchestral works.
  • Rochester Philharmonic League Partner — Liaison relationship to support education programs
  • Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Implied self-referential partnership in advancing community engagement through music
  • Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Partner — Partners with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra as part of the OPUS program to provide student engagement and performance opportunities.
  • University of Rochester Government — Follows University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music COVID-19 guidelines.
  • WXXI Partner — Media sponsor for the Philharmonics series.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Artistic Innovation as a Tool for Audience Relevance
    methodology: adventurous_programming
    By commissioning new works and presenting adventurous or experimental programming, the organization sustains public engagement and attracts new audiences because innovation signals cultural relevance and expands the emotional and aesthetic reach of orchestral music.
  • Community Access Through Embedded Performances
    methodology: community_access_expansion
    By bringing orchestral music directly into schools, community centers, and public outdoor spaces, the organization increases access and engagement among underserved and urban populations because proximity and familiarity reduce barriers to participation.
  • Community Engagement Through Shared Cultural Experiences
    methodology: community-engagement-through-music
    By designing programs and partnerships that center shared human experiences—such as holiday concerts and local artist collaborations—the organization fosters community gathering and emotional connection because music serves as a unifying, relational catalyst.
  • Equity Through Inclusive Representation and Environment
    methodology: diversity_equity_inclusion
    By actively recruiting diverse musicians and staff and fostering an inclusive organizational culture, the organization strengthens community trust and broadens participation because representation and respect increase perceived belonging and relevance.
  • Sustained Youth Engagement Through Multi-Format Music Education
    methodology: continuum-of-engagement
    By offering a continuum of music education experiences—including mentorship, masterclasses, and side-by-side performances—the organization increases student retention and deepens lifelong engagement with music because repeated, relational exposure builds skill and belonging.