named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Conductor Development Program
Provides conducting opportunities for musicians who earn 60 points per season, fostering leadership from within the ensemble.
Seasonal Concert Series
Produces a recurring concert series featuring classical works and new compositions, held at venues including St. Paul’s Church and the DiMenna Center for Classical Music.
Soloist and Composer Benefit Program
A program allowing orchestra musicians to earn solo performance or composition opportunities by accumulating points through participation in concerts and rehearsals.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
-
Classical and Chamber Music Performances 3 activities
- Advocates for expanded access to music for underserved communitiesPromotes musical outreach initiatives aimed at increasing access to live classical music performances for underserved audiences, particularly through performances in correctional facilities and community engagement.
- Hosts regular concert series and performancesOrganizes and presents a seasonal concert series, including multiple performances annually at venues in New York City such as David Geffen Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Recent seasons have included works by Richard Strauss, Brahms, Florence Price, Carlos Simon, and contemporary American composers.
- Provides performance opportunities for musicians from within the orchestraOperates as a self-governing orchestra that selects soloists, conductors, and featured composers exclusively from its membership, offering performance opportunities based on accumulated participation points from rehearsals and concerts. Also subsidizes up to 50% or $100 (whichever is less) of rental music costs and provides complimentary recordings to featured performers.
-
-
Theater and Performing Arts in Corrections 1 activity
- Conducts outreach performances in correctional facilitiesBrings live orchestral music to underserved audiences by performing in New York City correctional facilities, including Rikers Island. This initiative began after involvement with "Mozart in the Jungle" and is now in its fourth season, making The Chelsea Symphony the first full orchestra to perform regularly on Rikers.
-
-
Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Offers conducting fellowship for emerging conductorsProvides a conducting fellowship program designed to support and develop emerging conductors, giving them opportunities to lead performances with the orchestra.
-
-
Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Records and archives performances for promotional and fundraising useCaptures audiovisual material during concerts for archival purposes, promotion, and fundraising. Released debut studio album "Joy and Sorrow" in September 2015 featuring world premiere recordings of David Chesky compositions.
-
-
Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Supports early-career composers through fellowships and competitionsOffers a composition fellowship program and sponsors an annual competition for emerging composers, having initiated six composition competitions to date. The organization has premiered over fifty new works and supports regional and world premieres through its programming.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$113K
Contributions & grants$75K67%
Program service revenue$33K30%
Investment income$4K4%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$103K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$431
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$142K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$134K
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +18.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 6
- EJ Lee — Director
- Fred Chu — Director
- Mark Seto — Artistic Director
- Matthew Aubin — Artistic Director and Executive Director
- Michael Dwinell — Director
- Mitsuru Kubo — Director
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- American Museum of Natural History Partner — Collaborated on EarthFest 2018, featuring a performance under the whale exhibit.
- American Museum of Natural History Partner — Conducted a collaborative performance initiative with the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
- Brooklyn Music School Partner — Collaborated on an educational programming initiative during the 2013-14 season.
- Brown University Partner — Mark Seto serves as Associate Teaching Professor of Music and directs the Brown University Orchestra
- CUNY Hunter College Government — Alumni affiliation and educational institution of a Chelsea Symphony musician
- Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Partner — Christine Todd serves on the board of this organization, indicating a formal governance relationship.
- Chelsea Cultural Partnership/Destination Chelsea Network — Member organization participating in local cultural initiatives.
- DiMenna Center for Classical Music Partner — Regular performance and rehearsal venue for the orchestra.
- DiMenna Center for Classical Music Partner — Venue partner hosting concerts in New York City.
- Dutchess County Community College Government — Institution where a Chelsea Symphony musician served on the youth music faculty
- Harmony Program Partner — Collaborated on an educational programming initiative during the 2013-14 season.
- Jackson Symphony Orchestra Partner — Collaborates on premiering new works and scheduled recording projects.
- Jeremy Crosmer Partner — Collaborates with composer Jeremy Crosmer on premiering new works with The Chelsea Symphony.
- John Lithgow Partner — Collaborated with actor John Lithgow on a highly visible performance initiative with The Chelsea Symphony.
- Luminous Sounds Partner — Organization with which a Chelsea Symphony musician is affiliated through the Illuminate String Quartet
- Matthew Aubin Partner — Collaborates with conductor Matthew Aubin on premiering new works with The Chelsea Symphony.
- Mozart in the Jungle Partner — Engaged in a collaborative performance project with the award-winning television series Mozart in the Jungle.
- NYC Department of Correction Partner — Partnership to present classical music concerts in detention facilities including Rikers Island.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding support in partnership with the City Council.
- Nicolás Gómez Amín Partner — Conducting Fellow with The Chelsea Symphony.
- SUNY New Paltz Government — Educational institution where a Chelsea Symphony musician completed undergraduate studies
- St. Paul & St. Andrew Church Partner — Venue partner hosting holiday concerts in New York City.
- St. Paul's Church Partner — Venue partner hosting concerts in New York City.
- St. Paul’s Church Partner — Regular performance and rehearsal venue for the orchestra.
- St. Paul’s German Lutheran Church Partner — Venue partner hosting concert series and holiday performances.
- The Chelsea Symphony Partner — Collaborates with The Chelsea Symphony as a regular performing member and soloist.
- The Chelsea Symphony Partner — Entity with which E.J. Lee is affiliated through board membership and musical service.
- The DiMenna Center for Classical Music Partner — Venue partner hosting concert series performances.
- The Greater Newburgh Symphony orchestra Partner — Orchestra with which a Chelsea Symphony musician performed
- The Woodstock Chamber Orchestra Partner — Orchestra with which a Chelsea Symphony musician performed
+ 2 more
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.
- Community-Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Programmingmethodology: cultural_celebration_programmingBy programming concerts that celebrate cultural heritage (e.g., Juneteenth) and revisiting historical works to mark artistic milestones, the organization fosters shared discovery and audience connection, because linking music to identity, history, and community values increases relevance and access.
- Cross-Genre Artistic Integrationmethodology: cross-genre_collaborationBy integrating classical training with pop, rock, and international musical genres, the organization broadens artistic reach and collaboration, because genre fluidity attracts diverse audiences and challenges musicians to innovate beyond traditional boundaries.
- Internal Artist Development and Promotionmethodology: internal-artist-developmentBy featuring soloists, conductors, and composers exclusively from within the orchestra’s membership and prioritizing internal promotion, the organization develops emerging talent and strengthens ensemble cohesion, because integrating performance with professional growth deepens engagement and loyalty.
- New Music Incubation Through Collaborationmethodology: new-music-incubationBy commissioning world premieres and providing fellowships to early-career composers, the organization advances contemporary repertoire and supports artistic innovation, because embedding new work within an active symphony creates developmental feedback loops between creators and performers.
- Self-Governing Artist-Driven Modelmethodology: self-governanceBy operating as a self-governing orchestra where musicians participate in administrative functions and earn leadership roles through membership, the organization reduces costs and increases artistic investment, because shared ownership fosters commitment and accountability among ensemble members.