Equity-Embedded Systems

Organizes in-person and virtual author and artist visits to under-resourced K-12 schools across multiple states, providing free books to students during each visit. In one program cycle, reached 15,000 students across 21 states and over 40 cities in 18 states, featuring prominent authors such as Angie Thomas, Grace Lin, and Tomi Adeyemi.

Collects and reports data from educators on the impact of author and artist visits, including findings that 96% observed increased student excitement about reading, 92% noted greater interest in writing and sharing stories, and 77% reported the distributed book was the first owned by some students.

Hosts summer book giveaway events, such as one in Los Angeles, to distribute new books directly to students to promote literacy and access to reading materials.

Provides need-based financial aid to both new and returning participants to help cover tuition costs, supported by donations and grants that cover about 25% of operating expenses. Also manages designated funds that support named faculty chairs (in oboe, piano, cello), lectures, special events, and new music commissions.

Formed a working group composed of participants, faculty, staff, and Board members to examine diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization, gathered community input, and is developing governance recommendations based on hundreds of suggestions.

Commissions new chamber music compositions annually from established and emerging composers, including a Composer-in-Residence and Composition Fellow each week. These works are studied by participants during coaching sessions and premiered at participant musicales or public concerts; the organization has commissioned at least nine major works since 2004, including four for its 75th anniversary in 2022.

Assigns a buddy to each first-time participant to provide pre-arrival guidance, assist with orientation, and arrange informal playing sessions. Hosts a newcomers’ meeting and Sunday evening playing event to welcome and integrate new attendees into the community.

Presents weekly public chamber music concerts on Wednesdays and Saturdays featuring faculty performers, guest artists, and premieres of newly commissioned works. Also hosts informal gatherings and post-concert social events to foster community engagement.

Administers rapid antigen tests to all attendees every Tuesday during the conference and conducts rapid molecular COVID-19 tests for symptomatic individuals to ensure a safe environment for participants and staff.

Hosts a four-week annual summer chamber music conference for approximately 300 participants, including musicians from around the world, featuring coaching, seminars, free playing opportunities, and structured social events. The program includes on-site operations such as participant applications, auditions, housing, meals with dietary accommodations, and administrative staffing.

Published a comprehensive history book titled "The Music of Friends: 75 Years of the Chamber Music Conference and Composers’ Forum of the East" in 2022, released 29 archival faculty concert recordings spanning 1956–2019, and collected oral histories to create a lasting archive of personal experiences within the CMC community.

Offers daily chamber music coaching sessions for participant groups studying complete works with distinguished faculty, using multiple coaching formats. Includes faculty-led seminars, open rehearsals for faculty chamber groups, and participant musicales where coached ensembles perform for peers and faculty.

Offers an auditor program that allows individuals to observe coaching sessions, participate in free-play sessions, access the sheet music library, and engage in informal ensemble playing with participants and faculty, without performing in formal settings.

Receives and manages donations to finance educational initiatives, scholarships, and awards for students and programs at SUNY Cortland.

Conducts strategic efforts to increase endowment and revenue, including completion of a five-year capital campaign that raised $27.5 million.

Serves as the designated entity for receiving and managing philanthropic contributions on behalf of SUNY Cortland, a role held continuously since 1948.

Owns the Antlers property in Raquette Lake, NY, and operates it under a 30-year lease agreement with SUNY Cortland to support institutional programming.

Provides maternity care resulting in approximately 3,900 annual deliveries and serves as a regional referral center for high-risk neonatal care, treating 1,000 premature and critically ill newborns each year.