named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
All-County Festivals
Annual music festivals for students in grades 4–12, including auditions and ensemble performances in band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz. Events are held each March following auditions in January.
ECMEA Scholarship
Annual scholarship program for high school seniors majoring in music, requiring participation in ECMEA festivals and a recommendation from their ensemble director.
Professional Development
Workshops and conferences for music educators, including the annual Western New York Conference Day and Classroom Music Workshop.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 3 activities
- Hosts annual jazz festivals and improvisation evaluationsOrganizes and presents student jazz ensemble performances for grades 7–12, including high school vocal jazz, junior high jazz band, and high school jazz bands A and B, across evening and afternoon concert sessions; also conducts jazz improvisation evaluations requiring students to perform specified blues tracks from the Jamey Aebersold "Nothin But the Blues" Volume 2 play-along set.
- Organizes and hosts All-County Music Festivals for studentsHosts annual multi-day music festivals for students in grades 5–12 across various categories including elementary, junior high, and senior high levels, featuring rehearsals and scheduled concert performances in chorus, band, orchestra, and jazz ensembles at locations such as Amherst High School, Williamsville South High School, and East Aurora High School.
- Provides professional development for music educatorsOffers capacity-building programs for music teachers throughout the school year, including the Classroom Music Workshop and the annual Western New York Conference Day for Music Educators, with the 41st conference scheduled for January 22, 2026.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Awards scholarships to high school music studentsFunds scholarships for high school seniors in Erie County pursuing full-time undergraduate studies in music at four-year institutions; applicants must be active members of their school’s performing ensemble, have participated in or been accepted to an Erie County Festival Ensemble, submit a recommendation from their ensemble director, and provide audio or video recordings for initial screening, with application deadline on November 15, 2025, and final auditions on January 27, 2026.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$290K
Contributions & grants$11K4%
Program service revenue$277K95%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$268K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$9K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$100K
Cash$100K
Investments$0
Liabilities$58K
Net assets$42K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +87.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- CRAIG POISSANT — DIRECTOR
- HEATHER LOVELACE — DIRECTOR
- LARRY DUBILL — DIRECTOR
- LYNNE RUDA — DIRECTOR
- MAY KAY ORTOLANO — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD RIEDERER — VICE PRESIDE
- SANDY FREITAG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Allendale Elementary Partner — Posts full-time elementary vocal/classroom music teaching positions through ECMEA.
- Buffalo State University Partner — Provides faculty leadership for the HS Jazz A Band through Dr. Mark Filsinger.
- Christ United Methodist Church Partner — Hosts the final round of the ECMEA scholarship auditions.
- Depew Middle/High School Partner — Hosts All-County audition festivals for elementary and junior high instrumental and vocal ensembles.
- East Aurora High School Partner — Hosted the Junior High South music festival events on March 6–7, 2026.
- Erie County Government — Schools in Erie County participate in ECMEA programs and events.
- George Mason University Partner — Provides guest conductor Dr. William Lake for the band component of the senior high music festival.
- Georgia State University Partner — Provides guest conductor Dr. Deanna Joseph for the chorus component of the senior high music festival.
- Grand Island Central School District Partner — Provides instructional leadership for the String Orchestra through Ed Lonergan.
- Hamburg High School Partner — School of a scholarship recipient; indicates connection to member schools in Erie County.
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania Partner — Provides guest conductor Dr. Rebekah O’Brien for the orchestra component of the senior high music festival.
- Jamey Aebersold Jazz Partner — Uses published play-along materials from Jamey Aebersold Jazz for jazz improvisation instruction and evaluation.
- Kenmore West Senior High School Partner — Hosts instrumental and vocal auditions for senior high and vocal jazz All-County ensembles.
- Kenmore-Tonawanda Partner — Provides faculty leadership for HS Vocal Jazz and JH Jazz Band ensembles at the festival.
- Kleinhans Music Hall Partner — Hosts elementary music festival performances for the organization.
- Lancaster High School Partner — School of a scholarship recipient; indicates connection to member schools in Erie County.
- Lebanon Valley College Partner — Provides guest conducting expertise for the String Orchestra through Dr. Johannes Dietrich.
- NYSSMA Network — Follows rules and uses materials from the NYSSMA Manual for auditions and student selection.
- Orchard Park High School Partner — Hosts instrumental auditions for junior high All-County ensembles.
- Pioneer High School Partner — School of a scholarship recipient; indicates connection to member schools in Erie County.
- St. Joseph Collegiate Institute Partner — Provides faculty leadership for the JH Jazz Band at the festival.
- Sweet Home Central School District Partner — Provides instructional leadership for the SATB Chorus through Ryan Kaminski.
- University of Manitoba Partner — Provides faculty leadership for the HS Jazz B Band through Jon Gordon.
- Webster Central School District Partner — Provides instructional leadership for the SSA Chorus through Katie Goodman.
- West Seneca Partner — Provides faculty leadership for HS Jazz A and B Bands at the festival.
- West Seneca East High School Partner — School of a scholarship recipient; indicates connection to member schools in Erie County.
- West Seneca West Elementary Partner — Posts part-time elementary vocal/classroom music teaching positions through ECMEA.
- West Seneca West High School Partner — School of a scholarship recipient; indicates connection to member schools in Erie County.
- West Seneca West Senior High School Partner — Posts full-time band teaching positions through ECMEA.
- Williamsville Central School District Partner — Provides instructional leadership for multiple ensembles including SATB Chorus, SSA Chorus, and Band through faculty members.
+ 2 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.
- Performance-Based Music Education with Competitive Selection 48 orgsmethodology: performance-based_music_educationBy organizing performance-based music festivals and selecting students through competitive auditions with weighted scoring, the organization advances music education because it incentivizes high achievement, ensures placement aligned with proficiency, and provides goal-oriented educational experiences that motivate student growth.shared approach: Artistic Mentorship Through Immersive Practice →
- Engagement-Linked Scholarships and Recognition 5 orgsmethodology: engagement-based_eligibilityBy tying scholarship eligibility to demonstrated participation in county music festivals, the organization promotes sustained student engagement because it rewards active involvement and makes recognition contingent on proven commitment to musical development.shared approach: Integrated Ecosystem Building →
- Teacher Development and Professional Support Network 5 orgsmethodology: teacher_development_modelBy fostering teacher development through professional workshops, conferences, and job connectivity, the organization strengthens student music education because well-supported educators deliver higher-quality instruction and are more effectively retained within the regional system.shared approach: Integrated Ecosystem Building →