named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
CCO Youth Orchestra (CCOYO)
Training orchestra for young musicians in the Ithaca area, founded in 2017 and serving over 60 students
Chamber Series
Smaller ensemble performances of chamber music masterpieces, held on Sunday afternoons
Family Concert & Storytime Series
Free, interactive concerts for children and families at the Tompkins County Public Library, combining storytelling and live music
Holiday Side-by-Side Concert
Annual holiday concert featuring collaboration between the CCO and the CCO Youth Orchestra, with Ithaca High School Chorale
Orchestral Series
Mainstage concerts featuring the full chamber orchestra with guest conductors and soloists, held at Ford Hall, Ithaca College
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Enhances accessibility to concerts through inclusive pricingOffers free admission to Orchestral Series concerts for CCO Youth Orchestra and Ithaca College students with ID. Provides pay-what-you-can ticket options with a suggested price of $25 for adults and a minimum of $5 for students, and allows group discounts of up to 30% for parties of 10 or more.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Operates a youth orchestra and supports youth musiciansRuns the CCO Youth Orchestra, founded in 2017 and directed by Kirsten Marshall, serving over 60 young musicians from the Ithaca area and beyond. Organizes side-by-side performances between youth and professional musicians and administers the Lee Strebel Memorial Youth Concerto Competition to recognize emerging talent.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Produces orchestral and chamber music performancesHosts public orchestral and chamber music concerts throughout the year, including regular Orchestral Series performances, Chamber Series concerts on Sunday afternoons, and special events such as holiday concerts and world premieres. Performances feature classical repertoire by composers such as Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Beethoven, and Prokofiev, and are held at venues including Ford Hall and the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Produces recordings and special concert projectsProduces commercial recordings and special performance projects, including a CD of works by Charles Bestor featuring a world premiere and a concerto recording with guitarist Pablo Cohen. Also presents anniversary concert seasons and world premiere performances as part of its programming.
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Community Music Performances & Education 1 activity
- Provides community education and audience engagement programsOffers pre-concert talks and chats led by conductors and guest artists to enhance audience understanding of the music. Also presents family-friendly concerts that combine live music with children's storytime at the Tompkins County Public Library, and hosts free Family Concert & Storytime Series events four times per season.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$352K
Contributions & grants$192K55%
Program service revenue$130K37%
Investment income$19K5%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$365K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$86K
Grants paid out$14K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.10M
Cash$303K
Investments$777K
Liabilities$49K
Net assets$1.05M
Liquid reserves35.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -24.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Chandler | Executive Director | 40 | $60K |
board members · 13
- Alexa Porticella — Director
- Anna Addario — Treasurer
- David Kraskow — President
- David Zimet — Director
- Jim Grochocinski — Secretary
- Kristen Grace — Director
- Ljerka Ukrainczyk — Director
- Margot Schoeps — Vice President
- Rosemary Elliott — Director
- Sara DAprix — Director
- Sheila Ossit — Director
- Sue McMaster — Director
- Toni Murdough — Director
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- CCO Youth Orchestra Partner — Collaborates on the Holiday Side-by-Side concert featuring youth musicians.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborates through conducting and faculty engagement.
- Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club Partner — Collaborated on performances including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
- First Unitarian Society of Ithaca Partner — Hosts concerts at its downtown venue, providing performance space for the orchestra.
- First Unitarian Society of Ithaca Partner — Venue partner hosting chamber music concerts.
- Hangar Theatre Partner — Collaborated on a landmark production of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
- Hotel Ithaca Partner — Partner hotel providing accommodations for visitors attending concerts.
- Ithaca College Partner — Collaborates through faculty engagement.
- Ithaca College Partner — Hosts CCO performances at Ford Hall and Hockett Recital Hall.
- Ithaca College Partner — Hosts concerts at Ford Hall in the Whalen Center for Music on its campus.
- Ithaca College Partner — Hosts performances at Ford Hall
- Ithaca College Partner — Provides free admission to Orchestral Series concerts for Ithaca College students with ID and supports student rush ticket program.
- Ithaca High School Chorale Partner — Collaborates with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in performances.
- Ithaca High School Chorale Partner — Participates in the Holiday Side-by-Side concert under the direction of Kristin Zaryski.
- Kitchen Theatre Partner — Collaborated on a landmark production of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Public arts funding agency providing financial support
- New York University Partner — Collaborates through conducting and faculty engagement.
- Opera Ithaca Partner — Collaborated on a semi-staged production of La Bohème.
- Park Foundation Funder — Private foundation providing financial support
- The Strebel Fund for Community Enrichment Funder — Community grant fund providing financial support
- Tompkins County Public Library Partner — Collaborates with CCO to host the annual Family Concert & Storytime Series.
- Tompkins County Public Library Partner — Hosts the Family Concert & Storytime Series in collaboration with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra.
- Tompkins County Tourism Program Partner — Local tourism program providing financial support through ACOD
- UNYC Partner — Collaborated on performances during Lanfranco Marcelletti’s tenure.
strategies · 5
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.
- Arts-Integrated Storytelling to Engage Young Audiencesmethodology: arts_integrated_storytellingBy combining storytelling with live music in interactive concert experiences, the orchestra increases engagement among children and families because narrative context makes classical music more accessible and meaningful to young audiences.
- Community-Embedded Arts Access Through Free and Accessible Programmingmethodology: community-embedded_family_engagementBy offering free concerts in public libraries and designing performances with shorter formats, accessible venues, and inclusive accommodations, the orchestra lowers barriers to engagement because logistical, financial, and physical accessibility collectively increase participation among families, children, and underserved audiences.
- Community-Engaged Performance and Collaborationmethodology: community_collaborationBy presenting dynamic performances and collaborating with regional artists and local organizations, the orchestra enriches the local artistic ecosystem because shared creative platforms strengthen community ties and broaden cultural impact.
- Curated Programming to Deepen Artistic Engagementmethodology: contrasting_repertoireBy programming contrasting chamber works and pairing composers across styles and eras, the orchestra enhances audience understanding and appreciation of classical music because curated juxtapositions reveal musical dialogue, emotional range, and stylistic evolution.
- Youth Engagement Through Collaborative Performance and Commissioned Worksmethodology: youth_engagement_through_compositionBy involving youth musicians in side-by-side performances with professional musicians and commissioning original works for young audiences, the orchestra builds early connection to orchestral music because direct participation and age-appropriate content increase relevance and accessibility for younger participants.