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Musical Associates of Central New York

Syracuse, NY · EIN 461080817 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A69 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · experiencesymphoria.org
revenue
$3.1M
expenses
$3.9M
net assets
$1.1M
employees
275
program ratio
81%
mission · from form 990

To engage and inspire communitymembers throughout Central New York through outstanding orchestraand ensemble performances, and innovative education andand outreach initiatives.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Syracuse Orchestra, previously known as Symphoria, is a musician-led cooperative orchestra based in Syracuse, NY, serving Central New York. It presents over 50 annual performances across diverse venues and engages the community through educational programs and outreach. The organization emphasizes artistic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in its programming and operations.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Healing Harmonies
Live music performances by Syracuse Orchestra musicians at local hospitals and medical centers to comfort patients and their families
Kids Series
Educational concert programming specifically designed for children, with free admission for kids 18 and under to all regular-season performances
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Delivering educational music programs in schools
      Provides educational music outreach to students across all grade and ability levels in local schools, engaging youth through curriculum-connected and accessibility-focused initiatives.
  • Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
    • Operating youth-focused concert series
      Runs a Kids Series featuring concerts specifically designed for children and offers free admission to all regular-season performances for youth aged 18 and under to promote early engagement with live music.
  • Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
    • Presenting orchestral and ensemble performances in community venues
      Presents over 50 concerts annually, reaching approximately 100,000 people through performances by ensembles such as The Syracuse Orchestra Woodwind Quintet in diverse public settings, including events like the season kickoff at the Carol Watson Greenhouse.
  • Music Therapy for Ill and Vulnerable Populations 1 activity
    • Providing therapeutic music performances in healthcare settings
      Delivers live musical performances through the Healing Harmonies program to comfort patients and families at local hospitals and medical centers.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.08M
Contributions & grants$2.15M70%
Program service revenue$858K28%
Investment income$71K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.88M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$2.76M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.59M
Cash$530K
Investments$916K
Liabilities$514K
Net assets$1.08M
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -2.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Pamela Murchison Executive Director 40 $95K
Jon Garland Director & Musician 40 $95K
Kelly Covert Special Events Manager & Musician 40 $62K
board members · 3
  • John Riley — Secretary
  • Marcus Cerroni — VP & Treasurer
  • Martin Hewitt — President
relationships · 2

Who they work with

  • Crouse-Hinds Theater at the Civic Center Partner — Home venue for The Syracuse Orchestra's performances.
  • The Syracuse Orchestra Partner — Collaborates with The Syracuse Orchestra for performances, including the Woodwind Quintet at the September Soirée.
strategies · 4

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.

  • Community-Collaborative Programming for Cultural Representation
    methodology: community_collaborative_programming
    By co-designing concert and educational programming with the community, the organization ensures cultural relevance and inclusion, which strengthens community ownership and engagement because shared authorship fosters deeper connection to regional history and diverse traditions.
  • Diverse Programming as a Bridge for Cross-Community Connection
    methodology: community-engagement-through-diverse-programming
    By presenting diverse musical programming, the organization connects people across ages and backgrounds, because shared cultural experiences create inclusive spaces that foster mutual understanding and community cohesion.
  • Musician-Led Cooperative Model for Artistic and Organizational Sustainability
    methodology: musician_cooperative
    By operating as a musician-led cooperative orchestra, the organization enhances artistic excellence and administrative efficiency, because shared leadership among musicians increases accountability, engagement, and financial resilience.
  • Youth Engagement Through Professional Arts Access
    methodology: culture-based_youth_engagement
    By providing youth access to a professional orchestra, the organization cultivates early appreciation for music and the arts, because direct exposure to high-quality performances serves as an inspirational gateway for long-term cultural participation.