Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Inc

EIN 23-7362572 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE OORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CREATES EXTRAORDINARY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH LIVES AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS THROUGH COLLABORATION, EDUCATION, INNOVATION, AND A PASSION FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE. ORPHEUS STRIVES TO BE THE WORLD'S PREMIER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA BY PERFORMING MUSIC AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, CHALLENGING ARTISTIC BOUNDARIES, INSPIRING THE PUBLIC TO THINK AND WORK WITH NEW PERSPECTIVES, AND BUILDING A BROAD AND ACTIVE AUDIENCE IN NEW YORK CITY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
81
Volunteers
26
Highest pay
$245,454, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OFOR OVER 50 YEARS, ORPHEUS HAS SERVED A LOYAL AND GENEROUS AUDIENCE IN ITS HOMETOWN OF NEW YORK CITY, PRESENTING ITS ANNUAL CONCERT SERIES AT CARNEGIE HALL. DURING ORPHEUS' 2024-2025 SEASON, ORPHEUS PRESENTED THREE CARNEGIE HALL CONCERTS, COLLABORATING WITH GUEST SOLOISTS: PIANIST, GARRICK OHLSSON; GUITARIST, PABLO SAINZ VILLEGAS; AND VIOLINIST, ANNE AKIKO MEYERS. THE SERIES INCLUDED THREE NEW YORK PREMIERES INCLUDING NEWLY COMMISSIONED WORKS BY BILLY CHILDS, JORGE AMADO, AND ERIC WHITACRE; AND NEW ORCHESTRATIONS BY MICHAEL STEPHEN BROWN, SAHUN SAM HONG, AND ORPHEUS MEMBER VIOLIST DOV SCHEINDLIN. IN ADDITION, ORPHEUS WAS PRESENTED FOR TWO CONCERTS AT CARNEGIE HALL WITH VIOLINIST, MAXIM VENGEROV AND ONE CONCERT AT THE 92NY WITH VIOLINIST, NOAH BENDIX BALGLEY FEATURING NEW ORCHESTRATIONS BY ZACHARY WADSWORTH AND DOV SCHEINDLIN. ALSO, ORPHEUS WAS PRESENTED IN A CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT AT THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN FEATURING A COLLABORATION WITH GUITAR AND CELLO DUO, BOYD MEETS GIRL.ORPHEUS IS COMMITTED TO SHARING ITS ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING WITH COMMUNITIES BEYOND NEW YORK CITY. IN 2024-2025, ORPHEUS TOURED WITHIN NEW YORK STATE AND TO NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, AND RHODE ISLAND. THE ORCHESTRA'S RICH HISTORY OF TOURING INCLUDES VISITS TO MORE THAN 300 CITIES IN 50 COUNTRIES ON FOUR CONTINENTS. IN THE 2024-25 SEASON, ORPHEUS SERVED OVER 12,000 AUDIENCE MEMBERS LIVE. BY TOURING NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, THE ORCHESTRA REMOVES NUMEROUS FINANCIAL AND GEOGRAPHIC OBSTACLES THAT PREVENT ACCESS FOR MANY TO EXPERIENCE THE DYNAMIC LIVE PERFORMANCES. ORPHEUS IS FORTUNATE TO MAINTAIN A GLOBAL PRESENCE, DEVELOPED THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE RECORDING CATALOGUE AND CURRENT RADIO BROADCASTS, THROUGH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TOURS. IN THIS WAY, THE ORCHESTRA BUILDS ON EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS AND REACHES NEW COMMUNITIES. ORPHEUS' COMMITMENT TO ENGAGEMENT INCLUDES FOUR CORE INITIATIVES. THE ACCESS ORPHEUS PROGRAM ENGAGES OVER 1,500 PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNUALLY FROM EACH OF NEW YORK CITY'S FIVE BOROUGHS AS WELL AS THE BROADER METROPOLITAN AREA, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO TITLE I SCHOOLS. ORPHEUS SHARES THE ORCHESTRA'S COLLABORATIVE MUSIC-MAKING PROCESS THROUGH UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WITH ORPHEUS MUSICIANS AND COLLABORATORS, OPEN REHEARSALS, AND UNDERWRITTEN TICKETS AND STUDY GUIDES TO ORPHEUS' CARNEGIE HALL SERIES CONCERTS. FOR MANY, THIS IS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE OF A LIVE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT AND THEIR FIRST TIME INSIDE CARNEGIE HALL. IN THE 2024-2025 SEASON, ORPHEUS VISITED AND PROVIDED COACHING SESSIONS FOR STUDENTS IN THE HARMONY PROGRAM'S SENIOR YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND AT THREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN BROOKLYN, QUEENS, AND THE BRONX. THE ORPHEUS MUSIC ACADEMY ENCOMPASSES ORPHEUS' PROGRAMS FOR INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED MUSIC STUDENTS. ORPHEUS MUSICIANS SHARE THEIR ARTISTRY, EXPERTISE, AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO MUSIC MAKING THROUGH MASTERCLASSES WITH ORPHEUS MUSICIANS AND GUEST ARTISTS, SIDE-BY-SIDE WORKSHOPS, AND RESIDENCIES ON TOUR. IN 2024-2025, ORPHEUS MUSICIANS WORKED WITH STUDENTS FROM A CANADIAN HIGH SCHOOL BAND VISITNG NYC AND COACHED SECTIONALS FOR NEW YORK YOUTH SYMPHONY.ORPHEUS REFLECTIONS BRINGS THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. ORPHEUS MUSICIANS SHARE INTIMATE PERFORMANCES AND ENGAGE WITH AUDIENCES IN SPACES WHERE ATTENDEES ARE COMFORTABLE, SUCH AS PUBLIC VENUES OR PRIVATE CARE CENTERS. THE PROGRAMS ALSO BENEFIT CAREGIVERS, WHO IN THEIR DEMANDING ROLES MAY HAVE LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY LIVE MUSIC. IN 2024-2025 ORPHEUS OFFERED REFLECTIONS PROGRAMS ONLINE OVER ZOOM AND IN-PERSON FOR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS NEW YORK CITY.THE ORPHEUS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE BRINGS THE ORPHEUS PROCESS TO THE PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO EMPOWER THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW THROUGH COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT TRAINING. TEAMS OF ALL KINDS PARTICIPATE IN CUSTOMIZABLE PROGRAMS TO GAIN INSIGHT FROM ORPHEUS' DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION, COLLECTIVE OWNERSHIP, AND CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING. IN 2024-2025, ORPHEUS PROVIDED OLI PROCESS DEMONSTRATIONS FOR IESE BUSINESS SCHOOL AND NYU STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.