POTSDAM – A $125,000 private contribution to the Orchestra of Northern New York will help fund performances of small ensemble music throughout the North Country and the Adirondacks.

Bernard C. Patten, of Gull Pond, N.Y. and Athens, Ga., recently signed a Restricted Gift Agreement committing $125,000 to the North Country’s only year-round professional symphony orchestra, a press release from ONNY said.

The contribution establishes The Secret Sits Pro Musica Fund. The fund will serve as a restricted account of seed money to support the small ensemble performances.

The TSS Pro Musica Fund makes possible the:

• Continuation of the Childwold Summer Concert Series, which was offered in 2018 and 2019, and canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic

• Perpetuation of The Secret Sits – ONNY Crane Student Aprpenticeship Program that compensates exceptional young students at the Crane School of Music who hone their skills by playing with ONNY’s seasoned professional musicians

• Establishment of The Secret Sits – ONNY Chamber Music Society (CMS) composed of musicians from ONNY, participating faculty and staff from the Crane School of Music, and other interested and qualified area musicians

• Formation of The Secret Sits – ONNY Pro Musica Adirondika chamber music ensemble as the professional-level lead CMS ensemble, serving to inspire and lead the program through sustained demonstration of performance excellence and professional musicianship and

• Development of The Secret Sits – ONNY Outreach Program for the Adirondacks and North Country regions, which will bring music offerings to schools and local communities at indoor and outdoor venues throughout the region.

For more information, contact Orchestra of Northern New York Executive Director Kathy Del Guidice at 315-212-3440 or executivedirector@onny.org.