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THE HELICON FOUNDATION INC
CORTLANDT MANOR, NY · EIN 133228528 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · helicon.org
revenue
$163K
expenses
$155K
net assets
$281K
employees
6
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE SPECIAL BREADTH AND IMPORTANCE OF OUR WESTERN MUSICAL HERITAGE THROUGH MUSICAL PERFORMANCES OF MUSIC OF THE 17TH, 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Helicon Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization based in Cortlandt Manor, NY, dedicated to increasing public awareness of Western musical heritage through performances of 17th, 18th, and early 19th-century music. It emphasizes historically informed performance practices, particularly using original instruments, to revitalize the expressive content of early music. The foundation fosters education and dialogue among musicians and audiences about the emotional and cultural significance of historical compositions.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Historical Performance Weekend
Annual educational and performance event bringing together accomplished musicians and faculty to explore expressive content in historical music through original instruments and period techniques
Mannes/Helicon Collaboration
Partnership with Mannes School of Music to advance understanding of historical performance practices and emotional authenticity in early music interpretation
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Classical and Chamber Music Performances 3 activities
    • Co-founds and curates chamber music and cocktail concert series
      Co-founded Lyrical Libations, a concert series that pairs chamber music performances with cocktails in intimate bar settings in New York City, aiming to broaden audience engagement with historical music.
    • Co-produces and collaborates on historical performance events with cultural and academic institutions
      Co-produces performances and events with institutions including Yale University, the Morgan Library, Mannes School of Music, Trinity Church Wall Street, The Knights, and others. Notable collaborations include the co-production of Handel’s La Resurrezione and the First Mannes/Helicon Historical Performance Weekend.
    • Presents annual chamber music symposiums with performances and discussions
      Presents an annual subscription series of four chamber music symposiums featuring live performances and discussion, held in a historic venue on Manhattan's Upper East Side. These events are part of a sustained program to increase public awareness of Western musical heritage from the 17th to early 19th centuries.
  • Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
    • Co-founds and performs in ensembles dedicated to underrepresented composers
      Co-founded Open Source Baroque, an ensemble dedicated to performing music by women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ composers, expanding the historical performance canon through inclusive programming.
  • Musicological Research and Scholarly Editions 1 activity
    • Conducts research on historical musical works and publishes critical editions
      Conducted a three-year research project on the Schumann Cello Concerto, resulting in a published article, a critical edition in multiple formats, and a recording of a new arrangement with the Consone Quartet. Also produces recordings informed by historical performance practices, such as the 2017 release of the Brahms Cello Sonatas.
  • Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
    • Creates and directs live-streamed fortepiano performance series
      Created and directs the International Fortepiano Salon Series, a monthly live-streamed gathering that fosters community and reinvigorates fortepiano performance, particularly active during the pandemic period.
  • Music Therapy for Ill and Vulnerable Populations 1 activity
    • Develops and presents interactive music programs for healthcare and carceral settings
      Creates and delivers interactive music programs for patients in psychiatric and long-term care facilities in New York City, and collaborates with Project: Music Heals Us to teach and perform music in carceral facilities across California.
  • Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
    • Offers membership and access programs for young chamber music audiences
      Offers a promotional membership program with discounted rates and guest access for chamber music lovers in their 20s and 30s, providing admission for two to each Helicon Symposium for members above the Individual Member level.
  • Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
    • Produces and releases commercial recordings of historical chamber music
      Produces and releases commercial recordings of music by composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Rameau, Scarlatti, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, and others, performed on period instruments. These recordings have received critical acclaim from publications including The Strad and Early Music America.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$163K
Contributions & grants$148K91%
Program service revenue$6K3%
Investment income$21K13%
Other revenue$-12K
expenses
Total expenses$155K
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead25%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$60K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$304K
Cash$26K
Investments$277K
Liabilities$24K
Net assets$281K
Liquid reserves23.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +21.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 5
  • GAIL LAVIELLE — DIRECTOR
  • GEORGETTE MALLORY — DIRECTOR
  • JOY GOUDIE — DIRECTOR
  • PETER LOMBARDO — DIRECTOR
  • WILLIAM SIMON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 32

Who they work with

  • Aston Magna Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music organization.
  • Atlanta Baroque Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music ensemble.
  • Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Partner — Adrienne Hyde served as Associate Director of Education & Community Engagement, overseeing educational programs and youth orchestras.
  • Carnegie Hall Partner — Presented Helicon performances.
  • Consone Quartet Partner — Collaborated on a recording of the Schumann Cello Concerto arranged for cello and string quartet.
  • Deux-Elles Partner — Record label with which Kate Bennett Wadsworth has released critically acclaimed recordings and which she co-runs.
  • Early Music Vancouver Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music organization.
  • Ensemble Pygmalion Partner — Performing with Ravenna Lipchik in the upcoming season.
  • Guildhall School of Music and Drama Government — Hosted a three-year research project on the Schumann Cello Concerto.
  • Haymarket Opera Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music opera company.
  • Helicon Ensemble Network — Performance group associated with The Helicon Foundation that presents concerts of early and chamber music.
  • Helicon Ensemble Partner — Performing group associated with Helicon's concert series.
  • Les Arts Florissants Partner — Performing with Ravenna Lipchik in the upcoming season.
  • Leverhulme Trust Funder — Funded a three-year research project on the Schumann Cello Concerto.
  • Lincoln Center Partner — Presented Helicon on the Mostly Mozart Festival.
  • Mannes School Partner — Co-produced events with Helicon.
  • Mannes School of Music Partner — Co-organized the First Mannes/Helicon Historical Performance Weekend.
  • Morgan Library Partner — Co-produced events with Helicon, including the 2015 production of Handel's La Resurrezione.
  • New York State Department of State, Office of Charities Registration Government — Files annual reports with this state regulatory body.
  • Project: Music Heals Us Partner — Collaborates on music teaching and performance initiatives in carceral facilities.
  • Seattle Bach Festival Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music festival.
  • The Academy for Fortepiano Performance Partner — Yi-heng Yang is a director of The Academy for Fortepiano Performance in Hunter, NY.
  • The English Concert Partner — Performing with Ravenna Lipchik in the upcoming season.
  • The Knights Partner — Co-produced events with Helicon.
  • Trinity Baroque Orchestra Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music ensemble.
  • Trinity Baroque Orchestra Partner — Performing with Ravenna Lipchik in the upcoming season.
  • Trinity Church Wall Street Partner — Co-produced events with Helicon.
  • Trio Ilona Partner — Releasing an album of Schumann Piano trios with Ravenna Lipchik.
  • Valissima Institute Partner — Adrienne Hyde served as Artistic Administrator for this conducting program supporting young women.
  • Vox Luminis Partner — Adrienne Hyde collaborates with this notable early music ensemble.
+ 2 more
strategies · 2

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.

  • Historically Informed Performance as Authentic Expression
    methodology: historically_informed_performance
    By using period instruments, historical techniques, and original performance practices, we produce musically authentic and contextually accurate interpretations of early Western classical music, because such fidelity reveals the expressive intent and cultural meaning intended by composers and performers of the time.
  • Practice-Led Research Integrating Historical Sources
    methodology: practice-led_research
    By combining historical research—such as manuscripts, early editions, and performer annotations—with performance and recording, we produce new scholarly and artistic insights into 19th-century music, because embodied practice allows for deeper interpretation than textual analysis alone.