Ormaco Inc

ORMACO was founded in October of 2010. Our mission is to make music, arts and culture accessible to all, with a focus on minority, disadvantaged and rural populations in areas identified to be lacking in cultural opportunities. ORMACO believes that the arts can have a positive impact on all people and a transformative impact on the communities we share.

ORMACO founder and Executive Director Thomas Sigel is a global entrepreneur. Involved in publishing and business consulting through his companies T Sigel Consulting and Sigel Press, he has always had a passion for the arts. 

In October 2010, Thomas founded Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO), an all volunteer non-profit with the mission of making music, arts and culture accessible to all, with a focus on minority, disadvantaged and rural populations. In the four years that we have been in existence, ORMACO has established a proven track record of successful community programming. We have increased the number of our outreach programs offered from seventeen to over forty per year. We have forged partnerships with many community groups including libraries, educational institutions and other non-profit organizations. We have presented workshops and cultural events in Medina, Stark, Wayne and Lorain County schools. The audiences that we have reached include people of all ages, economic backgrounds and ethnicities. 

The group has made significant inroads in NE Ohio since inception. One of the most successful programs is Jazz under the Stars, an all-professional, free summer jazz series that takes place on the Square in Medina. The festival draws more than 500 people per concert and has established itself as one of the preeminent jazz festivals in the region. The organization also offers free violin and guitar lessons to underserved students in Canton City and Northwest Local Schools (Canal Fulton).

Another important component of the organization is the World Tour of Music. Currently, ORMACO is the recipient of a prestigious grant from Arts Midwest to bring acclaimed international ensembles to the area for one week residencies. In November 2014, Shanren, a folk ensemble from China offered workshops in libraries and schools. In  February 2015, Paulo Padilha and Group, an ensemble from Brazil was in the region offering outreach programs and a concert for the community.  

The lack of cultural diversity in the region demonstrates a huge need to bring cultural events to this area. Students would otherwise not be exposed to a variety of cultures. Their only opportunity for exposure is through reading a textbook. To experience the culture live and to have the opportunity to interact with the various groups is of far greater benefit.

Many schools face a funding crisis due to falling rates of funding from the state which is not compensated for completely by local funding. 

Help us continue to offer amazing outreach programs in the region. For without culture, man has no soul.  

 "The Brass Ensemble outreach programs in our schools were outstanding. Students need to have more exposure to outside professional artists to inspire them. We look forward to working with ORMACO to bring more much needed music enrichment programs to Wellington Exempted School." Toni Novotny, Instrumental Music Teacher