named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
All-Electronic Music Concert
Concert featuring exclusively electronic works by local New York composers, presented as part of the annual season
Commissioning Program
Commissions at least one new work each season from living composers, contributing to the creation of new music in the region
Israel/Pellman Prize
Annual prize recognizing promising New York State composers beginning their careers; winners have their compositions performed by SNM musicians
Music for Silent Film
Performance series featuring classic silent films with live, newly commissioned scores; includes films such as The Fall of the House of Usher and One Week by Buster Keaton
Vision of Sound
Annual concert series since 2005 that fuses contemporary music, dance, and digital media; features new works by Central New York composers paired with original choreography by regional dance artists
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 1 activity
- Administering the Brian Israel/Sam Pellman Prize for emerging composersAnnually awards the Israel/Pellman Prize to identify and encourage emerging composers from New York State, culminating in a performance of prize-winning compositions by Society for New Music musicians.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissioning and premiering new musical worksCommissions at least one new musical work annually and presents premieres to support living composers in developing their artistic voice and taking creative risks. Focuses on regional composers in Central New York.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Organizing all-electronic music concerts featuring local composersHosts concerts dedicated exclusively to electronic music, featuring compositions by local New York artists, including the first all-electronic concert program presented by the organization.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Presenting live music for silent films with newly commissioned scoresHosts "Music for Silent Film" performances featuring original, newly commissioned scores performed live alongside classic surrealist and early silent films, such as works by Buster Keaton and Ed Ruchalski’s compositions for The Fall of the House of Usher and One Week.
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Original Dance Performance Production 1 activity
- Producing Vision of Sound concert series integrating music, dance, and digital mediaProduces an annual concert series that integrates contemporary music, dance, and digital media, featuring new works by Central New York composers paired with original choreography by regional dance artists. The program highlights collaborative, multidisciplinary artistic expression.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Producing concert performances of contemporary and new musicPresents a concert series featuring new music by living composers, including regional artists from Central New York, performed by professional musicians. Concerts include diverse instrumentation and take place at multiple venues, including higher education institutions.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Releasing recordings of commissioned and performed worksProduces and releases recordings of commissioned and premiered new music, including a new album released on August 29, 2025, contributing to the documentation and dissemination of contemporary compositions.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$49K
Contributions & grants$31K64%
Program service revenue$11K24%
Investment income$6K12%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$146K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$42K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$84K
Cash$182K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$84K
Liquid reserves14.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -75.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 13
- Andrea Scheibel — Board Secretary
- David Abrams — Board Member
- Deirdre Stam — Board member
- Eric Evans — Board member
- Harris Lindenfeld — Board member
- Heather Buchman — Board President
- James Shults — Board Member
- Joel Potash — Board member
- Kathleen Roland-Silverstein — Board Member
- Maryellen Casey — Board member
- Natalie Draper — Board Member
- Robert Bridge — Board member
- Sharye Skinner — Board member
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Ed Ruchalski Partner — Composer who created original music for the "American Surrealism" silent film performance.
- Hobart & William Smith Colleges Partner — Host venue for Vision of Sound concert series
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges Partner — Hosts Vision of Sound concert series performance
- NYS Federation of Music Clubs Partner — Co-administers the Israel/Pellman Prize with SNM to recognize emerging composers.
- Onondaga Community College Partner — Host venue for Vision of Sound concert series
- Onondaga Community College Partner — Hosts Vision of Sound concert series performance
- Pink Rock Culture Co-op Partner — Venue host for the all-electronic music concert.
- Pink Rock Culture Co-op Partner — Venue partner hosting the All-Electronic Music concert.
- Rochester Institute of Technology Partner — Host venue for Vision of Sound concert series
- SUNY Brockport Partner — Host venue for Vision of Sound concert series
- University of Rochester Partner — Hosts Vision of Sound concert series performance
- WCNY-FM Radio Partner — Hosted the Fresh Ink new music program on WCNY-FM Radio.
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.
- Accessible Pricing to Expand Audience Participationmethodology: accessible_pricingBy offering sliding-scale and free admission, the organization increases public and student access to contemporary music performances because removing financial barriers leads to broader and more inclusive audience engagement.
- Artist-Centered Innovation Through Commissioning and Supportmethodology: artist-support-for-innovationBy commissioning new works and providing financial support to composers, the organization enables the creation of innovative, boundary-pushing music that would not otherwise exist, expanding the scope of contemporary classical music because sustained artist engagement produces original, transformative work.
- Flexible Roster Model for Regional and National Artistic Representationmethodology: flexible_artist_rosterBy using a flexible roster of regional artists and presenting works by national and international composers, the organization broadens access to diverse contemporary music because adaptive programming increases artistic range and local engagement.
- Interdisciplinary Integration as Artistic Expansionmethodology: interdisciplinary_artistic_integrationBy fusing contemporary music with dance, digital media, and silent film, the organization creates integrated, immersive performances that redefine traditional concert experiences because multidisciplinary formats expand expressive possibilities and audience engagement.