Grant Resources

Salt City Jazz Orchestra is a Syracuse-based 17-piece concert jazz orchestra dedicated to preserving and presenting the classic big band tradition for contemporary audiences, with a focus on Basie-forward repertory and adjacent canonical literature (Ellington/Strayhorn, Thad Jones, Holman, and other recognized works). The orchestra is built for sustainability: a consistent rehearsal cadence, clear artistic and operational standards, and a deep roster/sub bench that supports continuity, quality, and presenter confidence.

The project's operating model is intentionally designed to produce repeatable public outcomes: public concerts and civic engagements that bring historically significant American art to broad audiences in Central New York, while creating intergenerational pathways for emerging musicians to develop professional ensemble experience alongside experienced community players.

Salt City Jazz Orchestra's artistic vision is grounded in historically informed performance practice and the pursuit of excellence in ensemble style: time feel, balance, articulation, and orchestral clarity. The repertoire focus (Basie-forward and closely related big band literature) is widely recognized as core American cultural heritage, yet remains underserved in many mid-sized regions due to the logistical challenges of sustaining a 17-piece ensemble.

Programming is curated for both artistic merit and audience accessibility: a mix of iconic repertory and deeper canonical literature that demonstrates craftsmanship, expands musical literacy, and sustains listener engagement. The orchestra's work contributes to the field locally by reviving a durable performance infrastructure for big band jazz—making the art form visible, audible, and repeatable in Central New York.

Salt City Jazz Orchestra prioritizes broad public access through repeatable concert programming and community-facing partnerships. The ensemble reduces barriers to participation and attendance by:

• Selecting accessible venues and performance times when possible, and partnering with presenting organizations that serve diverse communities.
• Maintaining clear participation pathways for musicians (including students and emerging players) through structured reading/rehearsal sessions and transparent expectations.
• Building a deep roster and sub bench to ensure reliability and continuity—so community events can confidently include large ensemble jazz without last-minute cancellations.

The orchestra's work aligns with NYSCA's emphasis on equitable engagement and access to the full breadth of arts and culture across the state.

Salt City Jazz Orchestra is structured with clear operational practices from inception:

• Defined artistic leadership and rehearsal process
• Centralized library management and parts control
• Roster + sub bench development to support continuity
• Standardized booking materials (stage plot, set options, communications templates)
• Transparent cost model (rehearsal access, production needs, musician fees as engagements are booked)

The project's sustainability strategy emphasizes practical scale: a biweekly rehearsal cadence that balances artistic rigor with the realities of working musicians and students, while producing public programs at a pace consistent with organizational capacity.

(If applying through a fiscal sponsor, this section can be framed as a sponsored program with clear reporting/accountability to the sponsor.)

Requested NYSCA support will be used to strengthen the organization's capacity to deliver high-quality public programs and equitable access:

• Rehearsal access (space fees, insurance/COI if required, basic production needs)
• Musician fees for public performances and key artistic roles
• Documentation & marketing (high-quality audio/video, promotional materials, audience outreach)
• Community engagement (student participation support, partnership activation, accessibility supports where needed)

We will evaluate impact using:

• Attendance counts and audience composition (where available)
• Partner feedback (presenters, educators, community organizations)
• Musician outcomes (roster depth, student participation, retention, readiness for performances)
• Documentation outputs (promo video clips, photos, repertoire readiness milestones)
• Qualitative feedback from audiences and participants (short post-event survey)