irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $113KHIGH PEAKS FESTIVAL
- #2 $6KCOMMISSION WORKS OF CHAMBER MUSIC BY NOTED COMPOSERS TO ENRICH A CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL REPERTOIRE.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Berkshire High Peaks Festival
Summer music residency and training program for over 50 young musicians from around the world, featuring instruction by 14 distinguished faculty members and culminating in public performances.
Classical Music According to Yehuda
Weekly radio program on NPR affiliate WAMC Northeast Radio hosted by Yehuda Hanani, aimed at outreach and education in classical music.
Close Encounters With Music Chamber Series
Annual concert series featuring world-class chamber music performances with thematic programming and live commentary by Artistic Director Yehuda Hanani, held in the Berkshires and other locations.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 2 activities
- Operate the Berkshire High Peaks FestivalOrganizes and operates the annual Berkshire High Peaks Festival, which includes free public concerts under the "Moonlight Sonatas" series and brings together over 50 young musicians and 14 faculty members for ten days of instruction and performance. The festival aims to advance public engagement with music and features performances by voice students, young artists, and faculty in chamber music settings.
- Present chamber music concerts with commentaryPresents world-class chamber music concerts featuring ensembles of three to eight musicians, including strings, piano, vocalists, and winds, accompanied by lively commentary to enhance audience understanding. These themed programs are presented in the Berkshires and have toured multiple U.S. and Canadian cities such as Miami, Kansas City, Omaha, Scottsdale, and New York City.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commission new chamber music worksSupports the creation and premiere of new chamber music through a commissioning program that has engaged noted composers including Osvaldo Golijov, Lera Auerbach, Zhou Long, Thea Musgrave, and Tamar Muskal. Since 2001, the organization has commissioned and premiered over 20 new works, with upcoming premieres scheduled through 2025.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Produce and distribute concert recordingsProduces and releases professional recordings of chamber music, including complete works by major composers and world premieres. Examples include a two-CD set of Beethoven’s cello and piano works (2006) and a recording featuring the premiere of William Perry’s Jamestown Concerto, Schuman’s A Song of Orpheus, and Thomson’s Cello Concerto in its original orchestration.
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 1 activity
- Produce educational and culturally themed concert programsCreates and presents concert seasons that explore historical, cultural, and emotional themes such as Berlin in the 1920s, Parisian salons, Havana’s flamenco traditions, gardens and birdsong, Dvořák’s folk influences, and universal human experiences like love and loss. Programs are designed to transport audiences across time and place through curated musical selections.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$422K
Contributions & grants$287K68%
Program service revenue$135K32%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$413K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$414K
Cash$414K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$414K
Liquid reserves12.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +48.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 17
- BEVERLY HOSOKAWA — DIRECTOR
- CLAUDIO PINCUS — DIRECTOR
- DONNA BERNSTEIN — DIRECTOR
- ERIC HAYTHORNE — DIRECTOR
- FREDRIC IMBERMAN — DIRECTOR
- HANNAH HANANI — VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY
- JAMES ABRUZZO — DIRECTOR
- KATHLEEN CHRISMAN — DIRECTOR
- KENNETH STAHL — DIRECTOR
- LESLIE LASSITER — DIRECTOR
- MARCIE SETLOW — PRESIDENT
- MICHAEL WISE — DIRECTOR
- REID WHITE — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD AMDUR — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT COHEN — DIRECTOR
- TREVOR M FORBES — TREASURER
- YEHUDA HANANI — ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Adam Golka Partner — Performer in the April 2026 "On the Wings of Song" concert.
- Anna Polonsky Partner — Performer in the March 2026 "Amadeus" concert.
- Ara Gregorian Partner — Performer in the March 2026 "Amadeus" concert.
- Avalon Quartet Partner — Performed a program on the relationship between speech and music at the Mahaiwe.
- Avalon Quartet Partner — Performing ensemble featured in the "Golem" concert with score by Betty Olivero.
- Berkshire High Peaks Festival Partner — Collaborates on the "Moonlight Sonatas" concert series featuring young artists and faculty.
- Chamber Orchestra Kremlin Partner — Performed in a concert presented by Close Encounters With Music.
- Darrow School Partner — Hosts concerts at The Tannery, a venue located on the Darrow School campus.
- Darrow School Partner — Hosts concerts at The Tannery, a venue on its campus.
- Gila Goldstein Partner — Performer in the February 2026 "Endings" concert.
- Giora Schmidt Partner — Performer in the June 2026 "Magyar!" concert.
- Harold Grinspoon Foundation Partner — Foundation donor supporting Close Encounters With Music
- Howard Gilman Foundation Partner — Foundation donor supporting Close Encounters With Music
- Hye-Jin Kim Partner — Performer in the March 2026 "Amadeus" concert.
- John Moore Partner — Performer in the April 2026 "On the Wings of Song" concert.
- Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Partner — Cultural partner of Close Encounters With Music
- Mahaiwe Theatre Partner — Venue hosting Close Encounters With Music concerts.
- Max Levinson Partner — Performer in the June 2026 "Magyar!" concert.
- Naxos Partner — Distributes and sells the organization's CD recordings through its online catalog.
- PRISM Quartet Partner — Hosts performances by PRISM Quartet, a saxophone ensemble presenting thematic programs such as 'Hit Parade'.
- Saint James Place Partner — Cultural partner of Close Encounters With Music
- Saint James Place Partner — Venue partner hosting the February 2026 "Endings" concert.
- Skylark Vocal Ensemble Partner — Collaborates on concerts such as 'Hidden Symbols, Secret Codes' that bring 'The Da Vinci Code' book series to life.
- The Buchwald Family Foundation Partner — Foundation donor supporting Close Encounters With Music
- The Feigenbaum Foundation Partner — Foundation donor supporting Close Encounters With Music
- The Scone Foundation Partner — Foundation donor supporting both general operations and the Berkshire High Peaks Festival
- Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Partner — Venue where Close Encounters With Music recorded the Beethoven: Complete Music For Cello and Piano CD set.
- Vivace Chamber Orchestra Partner — Returning performing ensemble in the December 2025 concert.
- WMHT-FM Partner — Cultural partner of Close Encounters With Music
- Xiao Dong Wang Partner — Performer in the February 2026 "Endings" concert.
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.
- Immersive Artist Showcase for Talent Development and Accessmethodology: artist_showcase_for_engagement_and_developmentBy featuring emerging and established artists in public performances, the organization fosters audience engagement and advances artistic development because showcasing talent creates mutual value—artists gain exposure and audiences gain access to diverse, high-quality repertoire.
- New Work Commissioning as Artistic Advancementmethodology: commissioning_programBy commissioning and premiering new musical works, the organization advances contemporary classical music because creating original repertoire ensures the art form evolves and remains culturally relevant.
- Performance with Commentary as Pedagogymethodology: performance_with_commentaryBy combining live chamber music performances with real-time commentary, the organization enhances audience appreciation and comprehension of classical music because explanatory context during performance bridges the gap between expert and lay listener.
- Thematic and Narrative Educational Programmingmethodology: thematic_education_with_narrative_engagementBy organizing concerts around accessible themes and using narrative, mystery-based approaches (e.g., 'Da Vinci Code' style), the organization deepens audience understanding and engagement with chamber music because relatable storytelling makes complex musical ideas more digestible and memorable.