irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $77KInstitutes and Educational Programs: Choral Chameleon provided educational and professional development programs for composers, conductors, and emerging choral leaders. The Composer Institute served 12 composers through an eight-day intensive program that included reading sessions, masterclasses, individualized feedback, and a culminating performance. The Conductor Institute served 3 conductors through an eight-day training program that included podium time, masterclasses, and feedback from experienced faculty. The organization also supported an emerging conductor through its Music Directing Fellowship, which provided exposure to the artistic, administrative, and organizational dimensions of leading a choral ensemble. Through these programs, Choral Chameleon strengthened the broader choral field by nurturing new creative work and developing the next generation of choral artists and leaders.
- #2 $25KRecording Programs and Services: Choral Chameleon produced, released, licensed, and supported professional recordings that document and disseminate contemporary choral music. During the year, the organization completed the Nicholas Weininger Recording Project, providing professional ensemble recording services on a contracted basis. Choral Chameleon also released Changing on November 8, 2024, making the ensemble's repertoire and commissioned works available beyond live performance settings. These recording activities extended the reach of the organization's artistic work, supported the creation and preservation of contemporary vocal music, and provided clients with access to professional choral recording services.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Choral Chameleon Institute
Eight-day intensive training program for choral composers and conductors held twice annually in New York City, offering masterclasses, private lessons, and live performances with professional feedback.
Composer-in-Residence Program
Annual program commissioning new choral works and supporting a resident composer through collaboration and performance.
Music Directing Fellowship
Multi-year program for early-career choral conductors providing training in artistic, administrative, and organizational leadership, offered free of charge.
Recording Projects
Professional recording, release, and licensing of contemporary choral music, including commissioned works and ensemble performances.
Teaching-Artist Residencies
Program placing artists in public schools to support music educators and students through hands-on instruction and curriculum development.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
- Host immersive training programs for composers and conductorsOperates the Choral Chameleon Institute, an 8-day immersive summer program established in 2012 that hosts up to 12 composers and 4 conductors per session with high faculty-to-student engagement. The program includes reading sessions, masterclasses, feedback, and culminates in the premiere of new works. Two annual sessions are held: one for conductors in January and one for composers in June.
- Offer fellowship programs for early-career conductorsOffers a multi-year Music Directing Fellowship Program and a fellowship for emerging conductors, providing training in artistic, administrative, and organizational leadership of a choral ensemble at no cost to participants.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commission and premiere new choral worksCommissions and premieres new choral compositions, with over 400 works commissioned and premiered to date. Recent premieres include Conrad Susa's final composition, Jeffrey Parola's SONARE for more than fifty voices and organ, and Ed Thompson's "STEP INTO THE NIGHT" in 2022.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Present public choral concerts and performance seriesPresents multiple concert cycles annually, including themed programs such as "Dia de Los Muertos" (Fall 2023, attended by over 250 people), the concert series "BIGGER THAN MY BODY," and innovative formats like the choral rave dance party "BIGGER THAN MY SONG." Also performs in third-party theatrical or interdisciplinary productions in New York.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Produce and release choral recordings and albumsProduces professional choral recordings, including the completion of the Nicholas Weininger Recording Project, and releases albums such as "Changing" (November 8, 2024) and Eri Yamamoto's "GOSHU ONDO SUITE" (2019), distributing repertoire beyond live performances.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Serve as vocal ensemble in residence and lab choirServed as the inaugural vocal ensemble in residence at National Sawdust in Brooklyn and functions as a lab choir for student conductors during the Winter Institute, culminating in public performances.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Innovate experimental choral performance formatsProduces experimental and immersive choral experiences, including the world’s first choral sound bath titled "Washing" in collaboration with Bloom Sound Collective and the immersive choral rave dance party "BIGGER THAN MY SONG."
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$370K
Contributions & grants$257K69%
Program service revenue$117K32%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-3K
expenses
Total expenses$305K
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$3K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$23K
Cash$12K
Investments$0
Liabilities$39K
Net assets$-16K
Liquid reserves0.5 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +79.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vince Peterson | Artistic Director | 5 | $17K |
| Ronald Romano | Education Director | 1 | $9K |
| Sandra Bumgarner | Managing Director | 5 | $9K |
board members · 6
- Boreta Singleton — At Large
- Karen M Beluso — Board President
- Marshall Bessieres — At-Large
- Matthew Finkel — At-Large
- Michael Engstrom — At-Large
- Tyler Polen — At-Large
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- ASCAP Network — Recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming in 2015.
- Bloom Sound Collective Partner — Collaborated on the world's first choral sound bath, "Washing."
- Chorus America Network — Featured in Chorus America's The Voice magazine.
- Chorus America Network — Recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming in 2015.
- Coco Karol Partner — Collaborated on "The Gauntlet."
- Irondale Center for the Arts Partner — Hosted the first Choral Music Rave Dance Party.
- Lish Steiling Partner — Collaborated on culinary choral work.
- National Sawdust Partner — Hosted Choral Chameleon as the inaugural vocal ensemble in residence.
- PARMA/Navona Record Label Partner — Features Choral Chameleon recordings.
- Sxip Shirey Partner — Collaborated on "The Gauntlet."
- Vince Peterson Government — Founder of Choral Chameleon
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.
- Apprenticeship Model in a Judgment-Free Laboratory Environmentmethodology: apprenticeship_modelBy training emerging composers and conductors alongside working artists in a non-competitive, supportive setting, we cultivate artistic growth and innovation, because removing performance pressure enables creative risk-taking and authentic development.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Reinvent Choral Musicmethodology: interdisciplinary_collaborationBy integrating diverse art forms and fostering cross-field partnerships, we create innovative choral experiences that redefine the genre, because collaborative creativity expands artistic expression and audience engagement.
- Reimagined Repertoire to Expand Choral Expressionmethodology: reimagined_repertoireBy commissioning new works and reinterpreting traditional repertoire in unconventional contexts, we broaden the relevance and impact of choral music, because innovative programming makes the art form more accessible and resonant with contemporary audiences.
- Student-Driven Artistic Development with Mentorshipmethodology: student_driven_artistic_developmentBy centering student-defined goals and providing tools and guidance without imposing external expectations, we foster ownership and authenticity in artistic growth, because empowering individuals to lead their own development strengthens artistic voice and commitment.