Cleveland Pops Orchestra

“Prior to filing, the form 990 is presented to the treasurer, finance staff, and the president/ceo for review and approval. The board of directors is also provided a copy of the form 990.”

“Each year, board members and staff are asked to review the pops' conflict of interest policy and to complete a "disclosure of interest certificate". The certificate requests that the directors and staff, to the best of their knowledge and belief, disclose affiliations with organizations, or related parties of such organizations, that may potentially result in a conflict of interest. If a potential conflict of interest is identified, appropriate steps are taken both to assess the nature of the potential conflict and, subsequently, to ensure that the possibiity of an actual conflict is mitigated. Such mitigation may be achieved through the recusal or firewalling of the individual in question, thus ensuring that the conflict is managed and the letter and spirit of the conflicts policy is upheld. The governance committee is charged for monitoring the organization's conflict of interest policy.”

“The executive committee annually evaluates the performance of the president/ceo. Compensation is based on performance and compared to statistics published each year by the league of american orchestras and compared to their peers with similar orchestras in budget, size, and number of performances. The review is performed by independent persons and after deliberations, the decision is contemporaneously documented.”

“The organizations' governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statement are made available to the public upon request.”

“The cleveland pops orchestra, led by conductor carl topilow, performs the highest quality symphonic pops music to entertain and enrich a wide and diverse audience and provides educational programs to develop an enduring appreciation of music, both enhancing the richness and vibrancy of northeast ohio living.”

“Through the generosity of many, the cleveland pops orchestra achieved new heights in 2024, including: -over 35,000 people were able to attend our concerts. From severance hall, connor palace, and free outdoor concerts around our region, the pops connects people from all walks of life with the music of their lives. -over 100 professional musicians from northeast ohio were employed through the pops. As a result of new partnerships formed with playhouse square, live nation, the cleveland ballet, the cleveland pops added several more performance opportunities for musicians in the 2024- 2025 season. -nationally acclaimed guest artists have wowed audiences, playing music from broadway, the movies, jazz, and light classics. -our jean l. Petitt scholarship award for high school students provided young artists performance opportunities with the cleveland pops orchestra and resources towards continuing their education. -youth ensembles, including the cleveland pops youth orchestra, performed with our professional musicians. -the cleveland pops orchestra performed seven concerts as part of our subscription season, with several performances being close to sold-out. Several run-out concerts were performed, sponsored by local corporations, municipalities,with several thousand in attendance.for the 24-25 season there are plans for conductor carl topilow to work with a group of 300 high school students. There are also partnerships planned with other non-profit arts organizations such as the cleveland ballet and playhouse square.”

“-actual music actual music is an education program designed to engage children in the wonderful world of music and dance. Actual music provides education, participation, listening and visual excitement to the young student. The program also provides teachers with the tools to continue the program in their classrooms. The actual music program is based on the academic content standards set by the ohio department of education. In the summer of 2024, actual music was brought to the ymca of the rockies in estes park, co. Campers at the ymca experienced the joy of music, movement, and song through this unique program introduced to them through a collaboration between the cleveland pops and the ymca. -a grant to cover the hiring of a cleveland pops education/community outreach manager is in the works. Once filled, this staff member will work to bring actual music to local school districts in the coming year. -the cleveland pops youth orchestra the cleveland pops orchestra, in collaboration with the music settlement, has established the cleveland pops youth orchestra to nurture and train young musicians to reach their full potential while promoting critical thinking, self-confidence, and leadership skills through music. Under the baton of conductor carl topilow, youth orchestra members explore the music of broadway, hollywood, jazz, light classics, and popular songs. The cleveland pops youth orchestra musicians receive coaching from members of the cleveland pops orchestra and teachers from the music settlement. The musicians also performed four concerts and one playing side by side with the cleveland pops orchestra.”

“Prior period adjustment 72,244”