irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $228KEARSHOT: OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING COMPOSERS AMERICAN COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA'S EARSHOT COMPOSER ADVANCEMENT INITIATIVES FORM THE FIRST ONGOING, SYSTEMATIC PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COMPOSERS AND ORCHESTRAS ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THROUGH ORCHESTRAL READINGS, COLABORATORY RESIDENCIES, CONSORTIUM COMMISSIONS, CONCERTS, RECORDINGS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EARSHOT ENSURES A VIBRANT MUSICAL FUTURE BY INVESTING IN CREATIVITY TODAY. ACO PRODUCED EIGHT VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS ON TOPICS INCLUDING NETWORKING, SELF-PUBLISHING, COMMISSIONING AGREEMENTS AND CONSORTIA, ORCHESTRATION, FUNDRAISING, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND MORE, SERVING 800 INDIVIDUALS. ACO'S EARSHOT READINGS SERVED 22 FEATURED ARTISTS VIA ITS OWN JUNE READINGS IN NYC, AND FOUR OTHERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS IN TEXAS, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, AND OHIO. COLABORATORY RESIDENCIES PROVIDED COMMISSIONS AND WORKSHOPS TO 8 ARTISTS CREATING FIVE WORKS. EIGHT COMPOSERS HAD WORKS PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOOSEY & HAWKES. IN 2024-25, EARSHOT SERVED 51 ARTISTS WHO SELF-IDENTIFY AS 76% BIPOC AND 51% FEMALE OR NONBINARY.
- #2 $123KMUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE 2024-25 SEASON, ACO SERVED 1,508 NYCPS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (309 DIRECT, 1,199 INDIRECT) THROUGH 9 IN-SCHOOL AND AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES. SEQUENTIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDED SONIC SPARK ENSEMBLES, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL DIRECT INSTRUMENTAL AND VOICE INSTRUCTION; COMPOSE YOURSELF, HIGH SCHOOL COMPOSITION CLASSES; SONIC SPARK LAB, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL COMPOSITION AND CREATIVITY CLASSES. PROGRAMS INCLUDED WEEKLY SCHOOL-BASED CLASSES AND PROJECT-BASED CREATIVE CAPACITY BUILDING LED BY TEACHING ARTISTS, AND DIRECT MUSIC COMPOSITION INSTRUCTION WITH ACO'S EDUCATION DIRECTOR. OF THOSE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SONIC SPARK, 20% ARE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, 19% ARE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS, 73% RECEIVE FREE OR SUBSIDIZED SCHOOL MEALS, AND 86% ARE BIPOC/ALAANA.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
American Fanfares
Public performances of original brass quintet fanfares composed by youth in ACO's Compose Yourself! program and participants in Musicambia's program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
EarShot: Opportunities for Emerging Composers
National program providing orchestral readings, residencies, consortium commissions, and professional development for emerging composers. Includes workshops, mentorship, and performance opportunities with orchestras across the U.S.
Music Education Program
In-school and after-school music instruction for NYC public school students, including composition classes (Compose Yourself), instrumental training (Sonic Spark Ensembles), and creativity workshops (Sonic Spark Lab).
Professional Development Webinars
Free virtual workshops for composers on topics including networking, publishing, fundraising, and non-traditional notation, featuring industry experts and teaching artists.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Commissioning New Musical Works 3 activities
- Commission new orchestral worksCommissions original orchestral works from composers, particularly those who have participated in EarShot programs or are working to expand diversity in American orchestral music. Offers semi-annual commissions by invitation or recommendation and administers the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program, which has funded 22 new works for women and non-binary composers since 2014.
- Operate EarShot composer advancement programRuns the national EarShot initiative that supports emerging composers through orchestral readings, fellowships, consortium commissions, and professional development opportunities, including mentorship from established composers, conductors, and musicians. Since 1991, has provided readings for over 350 composers, with national partner orchestras participating since 2008.
- Provide performance opportunities for student composersArranges for professional musicians to perform original works created by sponsored students, enabling young composers to hear their music performed live.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 2 activities
- Advance diversity and inclusion in American orchestral musicWorks to expand the definition of American orchestral music by removing barriers to participation and advancing representation across cultural backgrounds, genders, styles, and aesthetics.
- Present orchestral concerts featuring American composersPerforms orchestral concerts at major venues including Carnegie Hall, the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, and the Apollo Theater, showcasing music by American composers. Has performed works by 800 American composers, including over 350 world premieres and newly commissioned pieces.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Award commission grants to selected composersFunds the creation of new musical works by awarding a $15,000 commission to one selected composer following the EarShot Readings for performance in a future season.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Deliver music education and creative development programs in schoolsProvides in-school and after-school music education programs such as Sonic Spark and Compose Yourself!, offering instrumental instruction, hands-on composition classes, and creativity-focused curricula to middle and high school students. Served 1,508 NYC public school students across nine programs, including at Ft. Hamilton HS and LaGuardia HS, resulting in student-created original works.
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Musicological Research and Scholarly Editions 1 activity
- Facilitate publication of composers' worksSupports composers by facilitating the publication of their works through partnerships with publishers such as Boosey & Hawkes, increasing accessibility and performance potential of new American orchestral music.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Maintain mailing list for audience engagementOperates a mailing list subscription service to distribute performance announcements, composer opportunities, educational events, exclusive content, organizational updates, and special offers to subscribers.
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Professional Development and Standards in Marketing and Communications 1 activity
- Offer professional development for composers and creatorsProduces virtual webinars and workshops on topics including networking, self-publishing, commissioning agreements, orchestration, fundraising, and public speaking. In one year, produced eight webinars serving 800 individuals.
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Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
- Produce collaborative concert series with community participantsOrganizes the American Fanfares concert series featuring original brass quintet compositions by youth from ACO's Compose Yourself! program and incarcerated individuals from Musicambia’s program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Run Colaboratory residency program for artistic creationProvides residencies through the Colaboratory program that offer commissions and workshops to artists, supporting the development of new musical works. In one year, supported 8 artists who created 5 new works.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- Sponsor student access to concerts and artist eventsSponsors NYC-based students to attend Commission Club events, including preview sessions with featured artists and concerts during ACO’s NYC season.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.28M
Contributions & grants$1.71M75%
Program service revenue$449K20%
Investment income$121K5%
Other revenue$8K
expenses
Total expenses$2.33M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising22%
Salaries & benefits$1.35M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.46M
Cash$1000K
Investments$2.82M
Liabilities$149K
Net assets$4.32M
Liquid reserves19.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -32.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELISSA NGAN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $223K |
| JONATHAN HOLLAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | $6K |
| MELINDA WAGNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $2K |
board members · 22
- ANDRE WASHINGTON — DIRECTOR
- ANNETTE MCEVOY — DIRECTOR
- ATIF BHANJEE — DIRECTOR
- AUGUSTA GROSS — DIRECTOR
- BENJAMIN HILDNER — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN WATERS — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS LANDO — DIRECTOR
- DEBORAH SHERMAN — DIRECTOR
- DEREK BERMEL — DIRECTOR
- FREDERICK WERTHEIM — DIRECTOR
- GEOFFROY VAN RAEMDONCK — DIRECTOR
- ILYA KARAULOV — DIRECTOR
- JANE CAVALIER — DIRECTOR
- JESS TING — DIRECTOR
- KAREN SLACK — DIRECTOR
- LISA WASHBURN — SECRETARY
- MARILYN GO — DIRECTOR
- MELIN TAN-GELLER — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL FEHRMAN — TREASURER
- PHILIP GLASS — DIRECTOR
- SAMEERA TROESCH — CHAIR
- SCOTT DUNN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- Aaron Copland Fund for Music Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Altman Foundation Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- American Composers Forum Partner — Collaborates on national EarShot Readings with orchestras across the country
- American Composers Forum Partner — Partners with ACO in delivering the EarShot program for emerging composers.
- Apollo Theater Partner — Performance venue partner for American Composers Orchestra events.
- BMI Foundation, Inc. Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Boosey & Hawkes Partner — Partnered to publish works by eight composers.
- Brooklyn Borough President’s Office Government — Government funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Carnegie Hall Partner — Performance venue and artistic partner for American Composers Orchestra concerts.
- Carnegie Hall Partner — Presents ACO's annual season since 1987
- DiMenna Center for Classical Music Partner — Performance and rehearsal venue partner for American Composers Orchestra.
- Ford Foundation’s Good Neighbor Committee Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Fromm Music Foundation Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Ft. Hamilton HS Partner — Partner school where ACO sponsors instrumental instruction and the Compose Yourself! program
- Garrett McQueen Partner — Featured artist providing bonus interview content and Q&A sessions for Commission Club members.
- Harlem Stage Partner — Collaborating arts organization
- Jerome Foundation Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- LaGuardia HS Partner — Partner school where ACO sponsors Sonic Spark Lab creativity-focused classes
- League of American Orchestras Network — Member of professional network
- League of American Orchestras Partner — Co-administers the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program and partners in the EarShot program.
- League of American Orchestras Partner — Collaborates on national EarShot Readings with orchestras across the country
- League of American Orchestras Partner — Collaborates with ACO on the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program.
- Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Government — Government funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Mellon Foundation Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- Musicambia Partner — Collaborates to present original fanfares composed through ACO's Compose Yourself! program and Musicambia's program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Government funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
- New Music USA Partner — Collaborates on national EarShot Readings with orchestras across the country
- New Music USA Partner — Partners with ACO in delivering the EarShot program for emerging composers.
- New Music USA Organizational Development Fund Funder — Funder of American Composers Orchestra Inc
+ 10 more
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.
- Composer-Orchestra Pipeline for Career Developmentmethodology: composer_orchestra_pipelineBy creating structured pathways between composers and orchestras through readings, commissions, and residencies, ACO fosters sustained artistic relationships that advance composers' careers and expand the repertoire of American orchestral music, because ongoing engagement deepens artistic impact and institutional buy-in.
- Donor Engagement as Artistic Collaborationmethodology: donor-as-commissionerBy inviting donors to participate as commissioners and providing exclusive access to artistic content, ACO strengthens long-term support, because framing philanthropy as creative partnership increases donor investment and alignment with the artistic mission.
- Equity-Centered Expansion of American Orchestral Musicmethodology: equity_inclusion_anti-racismBy actively removing systemic barriers and advancing representation, ACO redefines American orchestral music to be more inclusive, because diversifying voices and practices leads to a richer, more authentic national artistic expression.
- Project-Based Creative Learning with Teaching Artistsmethodology: project-based creative capacity buildingBy engaging students in hands-on composition through sustained instruction by professional teaching artists, ACO builds creative capacity in young people, because direct mentorship and project-based work foster deeper artistic understanding and engagement.