Structural Deficit
"Dedicated to nurturing the professional development of emerging musicians and composers while providing extensive instrumental music education and orchestral experiences to underserved youth in the community."
— Statement of Program Service Accomplishments
What does this mean?
Persistently low financial health over 5 years despite strong programmatic output. They are borrowing from their future (or bleeding an endowment) to pay for today's programs.
The Path Forward
The Truth-Teller
Forces necessary, painful cuts to preserve the core. It demands that the organization stop borrowing from its future and align its current programmatic output with actual sustainable revenue.
Demonstrated Impact
- Provides in-school and after-school instrumental programs
- Annual summer music camp
- Annual 'Concerts for Young People'
- 'Classroom Symphony' assembly programs
- Youth orchestra serving four counties
Institutional Epochs
Historical Performance
| Year | Revenue | Top Comp | Comp % Rev | Score | Phase Label | Outlook | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hidden | Hidden | — | — | Unknown | — | |
| 2024 | Hidden | Hidden | — | — | Unknown | — | |
| 2023 | Hidden | Hidden | 8.5% | 40 | Financially Distressed | Decline Risk | |
| 2022 | — | — | 6.8% | 44 | Fragile | Decline Risk | |
| 2021 | — | — | 8.3% | 50 | Fragile | Recovery | |
| 2020 | — | — | 8.8% | 34 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2019 | — | — | 9.3% | 34 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2018 | — | — | 8.2% | 34 | Critical Intervention Needed | Recovery | |
| 2017 | — | — | 10.1% | 31 | Critical Intervention Needed | Decline Risk | |
| 2016 | — | — | 10.0% | 32 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2015 | — | — | 7.7% | 34 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch | |
| 2014 | — | — | 9.0% | 34 | Critical Intervention Needed | Decline Risk | |
| 2013 | — | — | 3.3% | 35 | Financially Distressed | Stable Watch | |
| 2012 | — | — | 9.3% | 34 | Critical Intervention Needed | Recovery | |
| 2011 | — | — | — | 32 | Critical Intervention Needed | Stable Watch |
Officer compensation history
Tax year 2026
| Name | Title | Phone | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAMELA BRANT | Board President | 8.6% of Rev | ||
| JACK TARDITI | Board President | — | ||
| JACK CONNELL | Board President | — | ||
| MIKE SEPANIC | Board President | — | ||
| STEVE RYAN | Treasurer | — | ||
| CHRIS HAAK | Secretary | — | ||
| STEPHEN ANDERSON | Board Member | — | ||
| STEFAN OM AMARSON | Board Member | — | ||
| PAUL BRYAN | Board Member | — | ||
| ANGEL FUENTES | Board Member | — | ||
| SIDNEY HARGRO | Board Member | — | ||
| MARK HODGES | Board Member | — | ||
| ROSIE HYMERLING | Board Member | — | ||
| RICK DAMMERS | Board Member | — | ||
| JANE MASSEY LICATA | Board Member | — | ||
| LARRY MELTON | Board Member | — | ||
| DEBBIE LISKER | Board Member | — | ||
| SUZZETTE ORTIZ | Board Member | — | ||
| MIKE SNYDER | Board Member | — |
Tax year 2025
| Name | Title | Phone | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamela Brant | Board President | 8.5% of Rev | ||
| Mark Hodges | Board Member | — | ||
| Stefn rn Arnarson | Board Member | — | ||
| Rosie Hymerling | Board Member | — | ||
| Paul Bryan | Board Member | — | ||
| Jane Massey Licata | Board Member | — | ||
| John Connell | Vice Chairman | — | ||
| Frances A McElhill | General Counsel | — | ||
| Richard J Dammers | Board Member | — | ||
| Christopher T Haak | Secretary | — | ||
| Sidney Hargro | Board Member | — | ||
| Deborah J Lisker | Board Member | — | ||
| Suzzette Ortiz | Board Member | — | ||
| Omari Thomas | Board Member | — | ||
| Stephen E Ryan | Treasurer | — | ||
| Michael Snyder | Board Member | — | ||
| Michael Sepanic | Board President | — | ||
| Jack Tarditi | Board President | — |
Tax year 2023
| Name | Title | Phone | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamela Brant | Board President | 8.3% of Rev | ||
| Paul Bryan | Board Member | — | ||
| Mimi Butler | Board President | — | ||
| John Connell | Board President | — | ||
| Ana Corcino Newell | Board Member | — | ||
| Richard J Dammers | Board Member | — | ||
| Christopher T Haak | Secretary | — | ||
| Sidney Hargro | Board Member | — | ||
| Deborah J Lisker | Board Member | — | ||
| Frances A McElhill | General Counsel | — | ||
| Robert Mortensen | Board Member | — | ||
| Mary Anne OMeara | Board Member | — | ||
| Stephen E Ryan | Treasurer | — | ||
| Mike Snyder | Board Member | — | ||
| Michael Sepanic | Board President | — | ||
| Jack Tarditi | Board President | — | ||
| Leslie Woehr Tuttle | Board Member | — | ||
| Helen Albright Troxell | Board Member | — | ||
| Thomas Weber Jr | Board Member | — | ||
| Harry P Wills | Board Member | — | ||
| Marianne Aleardi | Board Member | — | ||
| Stefn rn Arnarson | Board Member | — | ||
| Carol Avins | Board Member | — |
Tax year 2022
| Name | Title | Phone | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAMELA BRANT | Board President | 8.0% of Rev | ||
| MIMI BUTLER | Board President | — | ||
| JOHN CONNELL ESQ | Board President | — | ||
| STEPHEN E RYAN | Treasurer | — | ||
| CHRISTOPHER T HAAK | Secretary | — | ||
| MARIANNE ALEARDI | Board Member | — | ||
| STEFAN ORN ARNARSON | Board Member | — | ||
| CAROL AVINS PHD | Board Member | — | ||
| PAUL BRYAN | Board Member | — | ||
| ANA CORCINO NEWELL MD | Board Member | — | ||
| RICHARD J DAMMERS PHD | Board Member | — | ||
| SIDNEY HARGRO | Board Member | — | ||
| LEE HYMERLING | Board Member | — | ||
| DEBORAH J LISKER | Board Member | — | ||
| ROBERT MORTENSEN | Board Member | — | ||
| MARY ANNE O'MEARA | Board Member | — | ||
| MIKE SNYDER | Board Member | — | ||
| HELEN ALBRIGHT TROXELL | Board Member | — | ||
| LESLIE TUTTLE | Board Member | — | ||
| THOMAS WEBER JR | Board Member | — | ||
| HARRY WILLS III | Board Member | — | ||
| JACK TARDITI | CHAIRMAN | — | ||
| MICHAEL SEPANIC | Board President | — |
Score breakdown
The three components combine into a single 0–100 score weighted as shown. Full methodology →
Peer comparison
Compared to 175 other orgs in NJ with NTEE prefix A6.
Most-divergent component: program score sits 34 points above the peer median (60 vs. 26).
5-year trend: Structural Deficit
Persistently low financial health over 5 years despite strong programmatic output. They are borrowing from their future (or bleeding an endowment) to pay for today's programs.
What's driving this score
- Comp-to-revenue ratio of 8.5% sits within the sector's healthy band (18–22%).
- Financial resilience score in the bottom quartile — reserves and liabilities ratios warrant review.
What would change this score
The two changes that would most improve this score:
- Build cash reserves to at least 3 months of operating expenses — moves financial resilience score meaningfully (~10 points).
Improving governance is a board decision. These are the levers.