named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize
Multi-year artist development prize including management, mentorship, performance opportunities, and career training for emerging musicians
CAG in the Neighborhood
Program bringing CAG artists to underserved communities to increase access to live classical music
Citizen Musician Training
Annual Career Bootcamp and Community Impact Project Incubator that equips artists with entrepreneurial and outreach skills
International Partnership with YCAT
Joint management and performance opportunities in the Americas and Europe, including Wigmore Hall appearances in London
Performance Prize Partnerships
Over 40 performance prizes with orchestras, festivals, and concert series including Chamber Music America showcase
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 1 activity
- Awarding prizes and performance opportunities through competitionsAwards more than 40 performance prizes with leading orchestras, concert series, and festivals to competition winners. Recognizes prize winners such as Samrat Majumder (2025 CAG-YCAT Competition) and the Galvin Cello Quartet (2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition), who receive roster inclusion and performance opportunities. Announced shared artists Joshua Brown and Willard Carter for 2026 through the CAG-YCAT partnership.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissioning and promoting new musical worksHas commissioned or facilitated the commissioning of over 100 new musical works since 1984, including premieres for saxophone quartet by contemporary composers such as Jennifer Higdon and Ryan Lindveit, and provides commission support to winners of the Living Composer Prize.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
- Equipping artists with entrepreneurial and community engagement skillsOperates the Community Impact Project Incubator, a career launch program that trains artists in entrepreneurial practices and community engagement strategies for sustainable careers in the modern music industry.
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Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
- Expanding access to classical music through community and digital outreachRuns CAG in the Neighborhood, bringing live performances to communities with limited access to classical music, and offers pay-what-you-wish online streaming of concerts for remote audiences. Also provides access to recordings of current and former CAG artists.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Offering specialized residencies and fellowships for emerging artistsProvides prize-winning artists with a week-long residency at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, a teaching fellowship at AlpenKammerMusik, and a summer residency at Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project to further develop their artistic and pedagogical skills.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Presenting performance opportunities for roster artistsOrganizes and presents concerts featuring artists on its roster, including joint performances, annual showcases in New York City, free public concerts, and collaborations with venues and series such as WQXR-FM’s Young Artists Showcase, Chamber Music America events, and the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series. Also includes curated programs such as 'Blue Moon' and performances at The Selfhelp Home in Chicago.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Providing comprehensive artist development and management supportOffers curated mentorship, professional career development, concert bookings, performance opportunities, and management support to early-career musicians selected for the Concert Artists Guild roster, including recipients of the CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize. Includes a week-long Career Bootcamp for newly selected artists.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Discovering and nurturing young musicians for sustainable careersIdentifies and supports exceptional young soloists, ensembles, conductors, and composers through multi-year exclusive management contracts and comprehensive career development to launch global performing careers. Since 1951, has supported over 550 young musicians in launching their careers.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.72M
Contributions & grants$610K35%
Program service revenue$1.03M60%
Investment income$30K2%
Other revenue$49K
expenses
Total expenses$1.71M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$596K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$680K
Cash$114K
Investments$473K
Liabilities$45K
Net assets$635K
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -23.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanya Bannister | President | 40 | $145K |
board members · 19
- Aaron R Cahn — Director
- Ajit George — Treasurer
- Ed Yim — Director
- Eleni Katz — Director
- Gerard Caccappolo — Director
- Lisa Williams — Director
- Louis K Meisel — Vice Chair
- Louise K Smith — Director
- Louise Shackelton — Director
- Marguerite Pitts — Director
- Monica Ellis — Director
- Nathan Meltzer — Director
- Norbert Weissberg — Director
- Paul Katcher — Director
- Sonya Lee — Director
- Sunny Kang — Chairman
- Susan MacEachron — Secretary
- Thomas C Clark — Director
- Willem Van Eeghen — Director
relationships · 51
Who they work with
- Abbey Bach Festival Partner — Hosted performances by CAG ensemble Cerus Quartet in Saint Benedict, OR.
- AlpenKammerMusik Partner — Offers teaching fellowships to selected CAG artists.
- Americas Society Partner — Co-presents concerts featuring music from the Americas, such as the "Of String and Wood" program.
- Atlanta Festival Academy Partner — Hosted a performance by CAG artist Joshua Brown in Sandy Springs, GA.
- Avaloch Farm Music Institute Partner — Provides week-long residencies for CAG prize winners.
- Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University Partner — Performance prize partner providing concert opportunities for CAG-affiliated artists.
- Caramoor Center for Music and The Arts Partner — Hosted a performance by CAG artist Njioma Grevious in Katonah, NY.
- Carnegie Hall Partner — Collaborates on performances through the Carnegie Hall Citywide series.
- Cerus Quartet Partner — Supports the Cerus Quartet as winner of the 2025 CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Competition.
- Chamber Music America Partner — Collaborates to offer showcase performance opportunities for CAG artists at Chamber Music America events.
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Partner — Features CAG artists in its concert series, including performances of the Brandenburg Concertos.
- Chautauqua Institution Partner — Performance prize partner providing presentation opportunities for CAG artists.
- Claire Chase Partner — MacArthur Fellow and CAG alumna who launched her career with support from CAG.
- Coregami Partner — Provides technical concert apparel to prize winners selected in consultation with Coregami.
- Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series Partner — Co-presented a free public concert in Chicago, IL featuring CAG artists.
- Eighth Blackbird Partner — Groundbreaking ensemble and CAG alumni group supported in launching their career through CAG.
- GEWA Partner — Supplies instrument cases for string players selected in consultation with GEWA music USA.
- Galvin Cello Quartet Partner — Artist group selected through the Victor Elmaleh Competition and added to the Concert Artists Guild roster.
- Green Music Center, Sonoma State University Partner — Performance prize partner that presents CAG artists in concert.
- Imani Winds Partner — Notable CAG alumni ensemble that has launched a successful career through CAG support.
- Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project Partner — Hosts summer residencies for CAG artists.
- Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project Partner — Partners to include the Sound Garden Project in CAG’s prize package, offering young professionals hands-on experience in community-centered audience engagement.
- Jennifer Koh Partner — GRAMMY-winning violinist and CAG alumna who launched her career with CAG support.
- Kaufman Music Center Partner — Co-presents concerts through its Tuesday Matinees series at Merkin Hall.
- Kosciuszko Foundation Partner — Hosts CAG's Annual Artist Showcase in New York City.
- Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois Partner — Performance prize partner that hosts performances by CAG artists.
- La Jolla Music Society Partner — Hosted multiple performances by CAG artist Njioma Grevious in La Jolla, CA.
- Magdalena Kuźma Partner — Soprano named a 2023 CAG-YCAT artist, indicating affiliation with Concert Artists Guild.
- Marlboro Music Festival Partner — Phaidros Quartet, presented by CAG, debuted at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont.
- Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society Partner — Hosted a performance by CAG ensemble Katarina String Quartet in West Tisbury, MA.
+ 21 more
strategies · 3
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.
- Citizen Musician Model: Training Artists for Community Engagement and Social Impactmethodology: citizen-musicianBy integrating structured training in community-based initiatives and social engagement into artist development, CAG prepares musicians to lead with purpose beyond the stage because sustainable careers increasingly depend on connection, relevance, and civic contribution.
- Collaborative Innovation in Repertoire and Programmingmethodology: composer-collaborationBy fostering collaborations between composers and performers and commissioning new works, CAG expands the possibilities of chamber music—especially for underrepresented ensembles like saxophone quartets—because innovation in repertoire sustains artistic vitality and cultural relevance.
- Early-Career Artist Development through Performance and Career Supportmethodology: artist-developmentBy providing performance opportunities, career promotion, and holistic management to early-career musicians, CAG fosters long-term artistic and professional growth because exposure and integrated support are critical at formative career stages.