named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
American Music Festival
Annual festival showcasing new works by emerging composers, featuring events such as open rehearsals, late-night lounge performances, and craft beverage tastings
Crescendo Club
Membership program offering curated pre-concert events that combine music with local partnerships, surprise guests, and unique experiences
Dogs of Desire
Genre-bending new music ensemble of the Albany Symphony that performs works by contemporary American composers, including annual performances at the American Music Festival
Tiny Tots
Interactive orchestral concerts designed for children aged 18 months to 6 years, offered in school-day performances in Albany and Saratoga
Vanguard: Jazz Brunch at June Farms
Jazz performance event held at a local farm venue, combining music with a brunch experience
Water Music New York
Free community event series featuring daytime activities, food, an Albany Symphony concert, and a drone show, held in various upstate NY locations
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Commissioning New Musical Works 2 activities
- Presents world premiere performances of contemporary American compositionsCommissions, performs, and premieres new orchestral works by American composers, including annual presentations at the American Music Festival—such as 27 world premieres in 2019—and ongoing collaborations with emerging and established composers like Sam Wu, Celka Ojakangas, Jack Frerer, and Viet Cuong.
- Records contemporary orchestral music for national and international disseminationRecords performances of contemporary concertos and orchestral works by composers such as Christopher Theofanidis, Michael Torke, Derek Bermel, John Corigliano, and Christopher Rouse, often featuring renowned soloists, to build an enduring artistic legacy and expand the reach of American symphonic music.
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Original Music-Theater and Opera Production 1 activity
- Creates immersive and interdisciplinary public art performancesDevelops and presents innovative, multidisciplinary performances such as Walking Stones—an illuminated public procession symbolizing Erie Canal materials—and concerts integrating video game music with live orchestral performance, often in collaboration with artists like Tommy Tallarico.
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Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
- Delivers educational programs in schools and community settingsProvides in-school and public educational programming including classroom visits for elementary students, Tiny Tots concerts for children ages 3–7, Instrument Playground events, and the Literacy through Songwriting program, which engages middle school students in lyric writing and performance with composer residencies.
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Facilitates youth performance opportunities with professional musiciansCo-presents the Symphony Side by Side concert at MVP Arena, enabling middle and high school student musicians to rehearse and perform alongside members of the professional orchestra in a collaborative public performance.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts free community music festivals and large-scale public eventsOrganizes free, full-day community festivals across New York State, including daytime activities, food, concerts by the Albany Symphony, and drone light shows. These events, such as those commemorating the Erie Canal Bicentennial, take place in multiple communities and are part of initiatives like Water Music NY and the Empire State Trail tour, reaching thousands of attendees.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.02M
Contributions & grants$1.33M44%
Program service revenue$1.02M34%
Investment income$615K20%
Other revenue$51K
expenses
Total expenses$3.32M
Program expenses66%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$1.94M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$11.92M
Cash$251K
Investments$11.09M
Liabilities$1.19M
Net assets$10.73M
Liquid reserves41.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +9.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID ALAN MILLER | MUSIC DIRECTOR | 30 | $173K |
| SCOTT ALLEN | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $101K |
| EMILY FRITZ-ENDRES | EXECUTIVE DIRECOTR | 40 | $58K |
board members · 22
- ALAN GOLDBERG — DIRECTOR
- ANNE OLDER — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY P HAZAPIS — DIRECTOR
- BARRY RICHMAN — DIRECTOR
- BECKY DANIELS — DIRECTOR
- CATHERINE HACKERT — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL KREDENTSER MD — VICE-CHAIR
- DAVID RUBIN — DIRECTOR
- DEIRDRE BRODIE — DIRECTOR
- DESHANNA C WIGGINS — DIRECTOR
- DR BENJAMIN E CHI — DIRECTOR
- DUSH PATHMANANDAM — TREASURER
- ELLEN COLE PHD — DIRECTOR
- FAITH A TAKES — BOARD CHAIR
- HENRY POHL MD — DIRECTOR
- HON DANIEL P MCCOY — DIRECTOR
- HON KATHY M SHEEHAN — DIRECTOR
- JAHKEEN HOKE — DIRECTOR
- JANE KADISH — DIRECTOR
- JEREL GOLUB — DIRECTOR
- JOHN REGAN — VICE-CHAIR
- JOSEPH T GRAVINI — DIRECTOR
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Arjan Singh Dogra Partner — Co-composer of world premiere "Poems for a New World"
- Capital District Youth Chorale Partner — Performs with the Albany Symphony in the Magic of the Season holiday concert.
- Carl E. Touhey Foundation Funder — Provided funding support for the Convergence Festival.
- Celka Ojakangas Partner — Collaborates on world premiere of a new composition
- David Alan Miller Partner — Music Director who hosts the annual Encore Society luncheon
- Elise Winkler Partner — Co-composer of world premiere "Poems for a New World"
- Empire State Youth Orchestra Partner — Co-presents Symphony Side by Side at MVP Arena with student musicians performing alongside professionals.
- Isaac Santos Partner — Co-composer of world premiere "Poems for a New World"
- Jacob’s Pillow Partner — Hosted joint performances by the Albany Symphony and San Francisco Ballet.
- John Keal Music Partner — Provides musical instruments for the Albany Symphony Instrument Playground program.
- Juilliard Jazz Orchestra Partner — Collaborated with the Albany Symphony to perform and record Derek Bermel’s Migration Series.
- June Farms Partner — Local partnership for the Vanguard: Jazz Brunch event.
- Kevin Puts Partner — Composer whose work "Contact" is performed
- Kirsten Broschinsky Partner — Development Director serving as contact for corporate partnership inquiries.
- New York State Canal Corporation Partner — Collaborated with the Albany Symphony to develop and present Water Music NY, a celebration of the Erie Canal bicentennial.
- New York State Canal Corporation Partner — Partnership to produce the Water Music NY: More Voices Festival commemorating the Erie Canal Bicentennial.
- Northeast Ballet Company Partner — Performs with the Albany Symphony in the Magic of the Season holiday concert.
- Premiere Partner — Transportation partner of the Albany Symphony
- Rince Go Brách Partner — Performs with the Albany Symphony in the Magic of the Season holiday concert.
- SEFA Partner — Partner for workplace giving; Albany Symphony's designated charity with SEFA Charity Number 50-00752.
- Sam Wu Partner — Collaborates on world premiere of a new composition
- San Francisco Ballet Partner — Collaborated with the Albany Symphony for performances at Jacob’s Pillow.
- Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill Partner — Collaborates to offer Date Night Packages combining dinner and symphony performances.
- The Desmond Hotel Partner — Hospitality partner of the Albany Symphony
- The Music Studio Partner — Performs with the Albany Symphony in the Magic of the Season holiday concert.
- The New York Times Partner — Described composer Viet Cuong’s work as “alluring” and “stirring”.
- Times Union Partner — Critically praised the performance of "Orbital" as "radiant, prismatic and fascinating".
- WMHT Partner — Media partner of the Albany Symphony
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.
- Artistic Innovation Through Interdisciplinary and Environmental Themesmethodology: artistic_innovation_environmental_themesBy integrating jazz, contemporary composition, and found instruments into orchestral works, the organization advances musical culture and reflects environmental themes, because blending genres and unconventional materials fosters creative renewal and resonates with modern ecological concerns.
- Community-Engaged Artistic Programmingmethodology: community_engaged_artBy co-creating artistic content with community input and centering underrepresented cultural narratives, the organization fosters deeper engagement, intercultural dialogue, and local ownership of the arts, because participatory art strengthens communal identity and relevance.
- Innovative Concert Experiences to Expand Audience Engagementmethodology: experiential_audience_engagementBy enhancing traditional concerts with surprise guests, local partnerships, and unique pre-event experiences, the organization attracts curious and diverse audiences who might not attend conventional performances, because experiential novelty lowers barriers to classical music participation.
- Interdisciplinary Music Education as Integrated Learningmethodology: interdisciplinary_educationBy aligning music performances and educational programs with school curricula and using music as a lens for academic subjects, the organization enhances student learning and engagement, because interdisciplinary approaches make core concepts more accessible and memorable.
- Sustainable Funding Through Donor and Sponsor Engagementmethodology: sustainable_funding_modelBy offering ticket donation incentives, planned giving options, and public recognition for corporate sponsors, the organization builds long-term financial stability, because aligning donor benefits with personal or brand values increases commitment and recurring support.