named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Chamber Music Series
Intimate chamber music performances with five concerts annually, supported by community sponsors and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Doreen B. Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition
Annual competition for high school musicians (grades 9–12) that selects a winner to perform with the orchestra; includes preliminary audio submissions and a live final round.
Orchestra Series
Professional symphonic concert series featuring four performances annually at venues including the Corning Museum of Glass and Clemens Center.
Youth Orchestra Program
Music education initiative for young musicians, led by conductors Margaret Matthews and Melissa Moore, providing training and performance opportunities.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 2 activities
- Host chamber music performancesPresents intimate chamber music concerts featuring professional ensembles performing diverse repertoire, including classical, jazz fusion, and world premieres. Performances include oral program notes delivered by musicians and are designed for relaxed audience engagement without intermission.
- Present symphonic concerts for the publicProduces and performs full orchestra concerts throughout the year, including themed programs such as patriotic music, Broadway classics, Beethoven tributes, and Halloween-themed performances featuring works like "The Devil's Trill" and selections from Harry Potter. Concerts are held at venues including the Clemens Center and Eldridge Park, with relocation to indoor facilities in case of inclement weather.
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Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
- Offer youth music training and preparation programsRuns the Junior String Ensemble to prepare younger string students for participation in the Youth Orchestra by providing foundational ensemble experience and skill development.
- Operate a youth orchestra programProvides instrumental performance training for local youth through weekly Sunday rehearsals in Horseheads, NY, from September to mid-May. The Youth Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes includes strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp, and offers annual fall and spring public concerts, a side-by-side performance with the professional orchestra, and performances at senior living centers.
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 1 activity
- Administer youth music competition and soloist opportunitiesContinues to run the Doreen B. Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition for Young Artists since 1995, providing performance opportunities for regional youth. Winners perform as soloists with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes in public concerts.
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Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Maintain a community chorusOperates the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes, a volunteer ensemble that performs annually with the professional orchestra in major choral-orchestral works such as Handel’s "Messiah," Mozart’s "Requiem," and Haydn’s "The Creation." The chorus averages 60 singers, expanding to 80 for larger productions, and participates in holiday and spring concerts, sing-alongs, and special events.
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Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
- Provide music education and literacy programs for childrenOffers free "Stories with Music" programs in partnership with area libraries, combining live orchestral music with storybook readings to promote early literacy among young children. Also presents free educational concerts featuring narrative and thematic content tailored for student audiences.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$472K
Contributions & grants$342K72%
Program service revenue$109K23%
Investment income$6K1%
Other revenue$15K
expenses
Total expenses$514K
Program expenses57%
Admin / overhead42%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$167K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$554K
Cash$298K
Investments$0
Liabilities$30K
Net assets$524K
Liquid reserves7.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN DUSEK | Executive Dir. | 40 | $73K |
| GARY CHOLLET | Director | 2 | $1K |
board members · 13
- BENITA ELDRIDGE — Director
- BENJAMIN COEFFIC — Director
- CARI I STAGE — President
- DENIS KINGSLEY — Director
- JENNIFER BUTLER — Director
- KAITLIN CUTLER — Director
- KAREN RONISVALLE — Secretary
- KEVIN NAH — Director
- KIMBERLY ZWIRKO — Director
- TAK LAP DEREK LAW — Director
- TINA BEVILACQUA — Director
- TOSHIHIKO ONO — Director
- WILL ARGETSINGER — Treasurer
relationships · 39
Who they work with
- Anderson Foundation, Inc. Funder — Season sponsor of the Youth Orchestra program
- Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes Partner — Performs at the Arts Council's Awards Ceremony with a chorus subgroup.
- Bonnie & Gary Chollet Funder — Individual donors supporting the Youth Orchestra program
- Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes Partner — Collaborates on joint performances including the Holiday Concert and Beethoven Tribute Concert.
- Colgate University Partner — Marietta Cheng, former music director of OSFL, is a professor of music at Colgate University, indicating a professional affiliation.
- Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. Funder — Provides grant funding for the Chamber Music Series through the Richard J. and Judith Sphon Family Fund.
- Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. Government — Provides grant funding for the Chamber Music Series through the Richard J. and Judith Sphon Family Fund.
- Corning Civic Music Partner — Margaret Matthews serves on the board of Corning Civic Music, an organization linked to the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Corning Inc. Partner — Multiple board members and staff are affiliated with Corning Inc., including as employees or in professional roles, suggesting a strong institutional connection.
- Corning Incorporated Funder — Season sponsor of the Youth Orchestra program
- Corning Incorporated Partner — Sponsors the Chamber Music Series.
- Corning Incorporated Partner — Sponsors the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, as indicated by logo and link on the website.
- Corning Painted Post Choristers Partner — Collaborates with the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes in joint performances such as "The Magic of Holiday Traditions Together."
- Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Partner — Toshiyuki Shimada serves as Music Director and Conductor of both the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra.
- Elmira City Schools Partner — Benjamin Levano-Futterman, board member, is a music educator in Elmira City Schools, indicating a partnership through educational engagement.
- Elmira College Partner — Giuliana Calderone, board member, is a former instructor at Elmira College, indicating a connection between the orchestra and the institution.
- Elmira Symphony and Choral Society Partner — Predecessor organization whose Young Artists’ Competition was continued by the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.
- Family Service Society, Inc. Partner — Board member Cari Stage holds a leadership role in Family Service Society, Inc., indicating a potential organizational affiliation.
- Hilliard Corporation Partner — Sponsors the Chamber Music Series.
- Hilliard Corporation Partner — Sponsors the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, as indicated by logo and link on the website.
- Horseheads First Presbyterian Church Funder — Season sponsor of the Youth Orchestra program
- Horseheads School District Partner — Gary Chollet, board member, is a retired music educator from Horseheads School District, indicating an ongoing relationship with the school district.
- Ithaca College Partner — Gary Chollet, board member, is a former instructor at Ithaca College, suggesting a collaborative or affiliative relationship.
- Ithaca College Partner — Multiple conductors affiliated with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes have studied or taught at Ithaca College, and Maestro Shimada is a frequent guest conductor of its orchestras.
- New Britain Symphony Orchestra Partner — Toshiyuki Shimada serves as Music Director and Conductor of both the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and the New Britain Symphony Orchestra.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides funding through its Decentralization Program for Stories with Music.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Supports the Chamber Music Series through public arts funding.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Supports the organization through public arts funding, as indicated by logo and link.
- OSFL Partner — Youth Orchestra performs a side-by-side concert with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes in March.
- OSFL Chamber Music Society Partner — Supports the Chamber Music Series.
+ 9 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.
- Artist-Driven Programming for Audience Enrichmentmethodology: artist-led_programmingBy using artistic leadership and musician-led interpretation to shape repertoire and performance experience, the organization deepens audience connection to classical music because authentic, artist-informed presentations enhance engagement and understanding of musical works.
- Arts-Integrated Education and Community Engagementmethodology: arts-education-and-performanceBy combining symphonic music performances with education programs and community-centered events, the organization increases public engagement and access to classical music because integrating artistic experiences into educational and communal contexts strengthens cultural participation and long-term audience development.
- Youth Music Development with Equity and Artistic Rigormethodology: balanced_youth_developmentBy combining audition-based placement with tuition assistance and co-conducted ensemble instruction, the organization develops young musicians' skills and sustains participation because structured artistic development paired with financial accessibility supports both excellence and inclusion in youth music education.