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Orchestra News

National Symphony Orchestra Agrees to Modifications and Extends Contract

Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) ratified the second of two “COVID agreements,” in September, addressing issues brought about by the pandemic. Under the first COVID agreement, which was ratified in April, base salary was reduced to 75% through August 10. In addition, terms of the 2019 CBA—originally a four-year agreement—were extended for a […]


Philadelphia Orchestra Continues Pay Cuts

In mid-October, musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra, represented by Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA), agreed to continue pay cuts for another year. In April, musicians agreed to a 20% reduction from normal salary. Retroactive to September 12 and in effect through March 15, 2021, that pay cut has deepened—with musicians now receiving 75% of their salary. […]


San Francisco Opera Modifies Remaining Contract

In mid-September, musicians and management of the San Francisco Opera agreed to modifications for the remaining three years of their contract, including a salary cut of 50% for the current season. The new terms are effective retroactively from August 2020 through July 2023. “Had we rejected these cuts—including 50% of our weekly salary for the […]


Minnesota Orchestra Extends Contract with COVID-19 Terms

Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra have extended their current contract for two years, while also agreeing to a 25% pay cut via a side letter. The extension maintains existing medical and dental benefits. The side letter, with terms to address COVID-19, went into effect October 1 and continues through August 2022. However, if audiences are […]


Cleveland Orchestra Ratifies Contract Modification

At the end of September, musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra, represented by Local 4 (Cleveland, OH), ratified a four-month modification to their current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The modification is effective through January 31, 2021, and the CBA is set to expire August 29, 2021. After January 31, the originally bargained contract terms will be […]


Detroit Symphony Orchestra Agrees to One-Year Modification

At the end of January, ahead of schedule and pre-COVID-19, musicians and management of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) had agreed on terms for a three-year contract, to go into effect September 7, 2020. The two sides have now agreed to a modification of the first year of that contract, with salary reduced to approximately […]


Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Alleges Contract Violations

Local 546 (Knoxville, TN), has filed a labor grievance against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO), which represents musicians of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The two sides now appear headed to arbitration. With less than a week’s notice, KSO’s musicians were furloughed for five months, with the opening of the concert season delayed until February. Days […]


North Carolina Ratifies One-Year COVID-19 Agreement

The musicians of the North Carolina Symphony, members of Local 500 (Raleigh, NC), ratified a one-year COVID-19 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) contract modification that was inserted in the second year of a four-year agreement that will now continue through August 31, 2024. Terms previously agreed to for the 2020-21 season will instead apply to the […]


San Antonio Ratifies One-Year Agreement

The musicians of the San Antonio Symphony, members of Local 23 (San Antonio, TX), have ratified a one-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that runs from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, within an existing agreement that continues through August 31, 2022. Though the MOA results in an approximately 80% reduction in yearly salary for […]


Virginia Symphony Orchestra Modifies Final Year of Contract

Musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 125 (Norfolk, VA), have agreed to change the terms of the final year of their three-year agreement, running from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The modified contract begins with a furlough through February 8, 2021. The remainder of the season will include between 10 […]








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