About the Orchestra

About the Orchestra

The Orchestra of Northern New York was founded by Music Director and Conductor Kenneth Andrews in 1988. ONNY opens its 36th season in September 2023. Its mission is to enrich the quality of life in our region by sharing the power of music to inspire, educate, and entertain. It is the only year-round professional symphony orchestra from Rochester to Burlington and Ottawa to Syracuse.

With generous funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, Northern New York Community Foundation, and in-kind support from SUNY Potsdam and The Crane School of Music, the Orchestra has performed more than 400 concerts in 35 years. ONNY is proud to have educated and entertained thousands of people by featuring such internationally renowned soloists as Anthony McGill, Tony Bennet, Marc O’Connor, Richard Stoltzman, Igor Kipnis, Jon Manasse, Claude Delangle, Alan Vizutti, and Jaime Laredo.

ONNY consists of approximately seventy professional musicians from New York State, Canada, and New England, along with several faculty and a few exceptionally talented student apprentices from The Crane School of Music. Many ONNY musicians have performed with the Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse Symphonies, and other major orchestras around the world.

ONNY earns approximately 24% of its revenue from ticket sales and concert fees. Generous contributions from individuals, small businesses and regional corporations, local civic and service organizations, and foundations account for 54%. The ongoing well-being of this cultural gem in the region is dependent on this support. Fundraising events generate only 4% and government support brings in 18% of needed revenue.  For information about becoming a sponsor, donor, or advertiser, contact Executive Director Kathy Del Guidice at executivedirector@onny.org or 315-212-3440.