GULF COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC
We Play the Music You Love to Hear
Mission
The Gulf Coast Symphony creates community through music. We perform a broad variety of concerts and create a diverse, innovative, and balanced program of performances, events, and community and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. The primary goals of the Gulf Coast Symphony are to help build general arts awareness in Lee County, develop new audiences for the arts in our community, and assist in the development of potential future performers. The GCS's volunteer musicians have 1 thing in common: creating exceptional symphonic music for their community. Many are retired or current professional players or music teachers, or highly trained musicians who focus on other fields. The musicians donate more than 15,000 hrs/year.
Ruling year
1998
Music & Executive Director
Dr. Andrew M Kurtz
Main address
PO Box 60878
Fort Myers, FL 33906 USA
EIN
65-0666748
NTEE code
Symphony Orchestras (A69)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
MusicWorks!
MusicWorks! is an El Sistema-inspired after-school program at The Heights Center (Harlem Heights, Fort Myers, FL) that promotes positive social change through music, and empowers underserved youth to develop a strong sense of personal identity and community through musical literacy.
MusicWorks! offers an innovative education and social initiative that provides opportunities for personal development to children through the study of music. The benefits of music education are profound, and have a significant, lasting impact not only on brain development, but also on social development. Children develop goal-directed behavior and skills that increase academic and social success. This translates into increased school attendance, academic motivation, and ultimately, achievement. Furthermore, such programs are known to improve self-esteem and self-perception so that students can achieve their full potential.
Every student enrolled receives a full-tuition scholarship, covering the costs of music instruction from professional Teaching Artists, and all necessary musical supplies, including instruments. Students receive orchestral instrumental instruction at the Heights Center for 7.5 hrs/week.
Gateways to the Arts
The Gulf Coast Symphony works with a variety of schools in Lee County to offer students of all ages further opportunities for music education:
*We provide free and subsidized tickets to students and their families.
*We provide performance opportunities for high school and college students.
*Smaller chamber groups of our musicians play at area schools.
*Our week-long Artist Residency Program brings professional artists to Fort Myers to participate in outreach activities and perform education work in our partner schools.
Taste of the Cape
Join us in the park for a wonderful afternoon of great taste! This community event, presented in partnership by the Gulf Coast Symphony and Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, celebrates both culinary arts and music. Sample an international array of great food from more than 20 Cape Coral restaurants, plus a wide variety of craft beers, margaritas, and wine. Enjoy musical performances from local school groups, and finish the day with a sensational Symphony at Sunset concert. Enjoy a selection of Broadway favorites and light classics in a beautiful Southwest Florida setting—from Southwest Florida’s premier community orchestra!
This free event takes place at Four Freedoms Park
4818 Tarpon Court, Cape Coral, just south of Cape Coral Parkway between SE 5th and 6th Avenues.
The concert is, as always, free, and proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit music outreach and scholarship programs for local students!
Where we work
External reviews
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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GULF COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC
Board of directorsas of 08/20/2018
Dr. Doni Landefeld
Gulf Coast Symphony
David Harler
Gary Hayes
Theresa Layman
Matthew Connar
Elisa Miller-Burda
Sarah Spinelli
Jack Weiss
Carol Docker
Deborah Handley
Susan Oliver
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
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