Tag Archives: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra News

New Contract Includes Raises for Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Ahead of the June 30 expiration of their previous CBA, musicians of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD), have announced the ratification of a new three-year contract.

Covering the orchestra’s 70 musicians, the contract calls for annual wage increases, adjustments to work rules, and a process for employing musicians in the new Annapolis Symphony Academy education program. It also establishes a new harassment policy that applies to not only musicians, but also administrative staff and volunteers.

The negotiation process was collaborative and cordial, according to local union officials. “The orchestra musicians are grateful to the symphony leadership for this progressive contract that shows a willingness on the part of the board to invest in the future of the ensemble,” says Daphne Benichou of Local 40-543, a violist in the orchestra and chair of the Players Committee. “Not only did the symphony agree to reasonable wage increases in each year of the contract, they also agreed to additional increases for those musicians in titled positions. This demonstrates that the Annapolis Symphony recognizes the value of all of our musicians and wants to retain the talent the orchestra already has, while also attracting the best players when vacancies occur.”

Recent News

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Works to Increase Diversity Through Youth Music Program

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will launch the Annapolis Symphony Academy this fall, providing music instruction and ensemble training for middle and high school students. With a goal that half of enrolled students come from Hispanic and African-American backgrounds, this new initiative will help promote and increase diversity in American orchestras. For half of all enrolled students, all program costs will be funded by scholarships based on financial need.

The orchestra hopes that in the long term, increased access to musical instruction for minority groups will lead to increased diversity on professional orchestra stages and in orchestra audiences. The academy program also meets a local need for more intensive individual instruction in Anne Arundel County, as well as a need to keep students engaged in music throughout their middle and high school years. A generous grant from Jane Campbell-Chambliss and Peter Chambliss will cover the majority of expenses for the first six years.

Aside from individual lessons, students will attend small ensemble coaching, guest artist workshops, ASO concerts, and more. The program will be led by ASO concertmaster Netanel Draiblate of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD) and Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL). The majority of instructors will be ASO musicians. Students are auditioning for 20 string spots in the first year; ASO expects to expand the program each subsequent year.