GULF COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

We Play the Music You Love to Hear

aka Gulf Coast Symphony   |   Fort Myers, FL   |  www.gulfcoastsymphony.org

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 info

1998

Music & Executive Director

Dr. Andrew M Kurtz

Main address

PO Box 60878

Fort Myers, FL 33906 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

65-0666748

NTEE code info

Symphony Orchestras (A69)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

Login and update

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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!

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Financials

GULF COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

GULF COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

Board of directors
as of 8/20/2018
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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