Tag Archives: Local 92

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra to Perform Summer Season Under Current Contract

The musicians of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and management of the Chautauqua Institution have agreed to extend the terms of the current musicians’ contract agreement through September 2021, while also making adjustments that allow for more flexibility in crafting the 2021 season.

Five weeks of performances will take place during Chautauqua’s renowned summer season. Performances will feature smaller ensembles with social distancing; all musicians, except for wind and brass players, will be masked; and appearances by guest soloists will be limited.

CSO trumpet player Leslie Linn of Local 134 (Jamestown, NY) served as chair of the musicians’ negotiations committee. “As we prepare for the upcoming season at Chautauqua, we are grateful to have an opportunity to be back together, in person, to perform for the Chautauqua community, filling the void that has existed for all of us since in-person performing ceased due to the pandemic,” says Linn. “The musicians of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra are excited to have this agreement in place. We thank the institution for working with us over many months to reach this agreement and are eager to return to Chautauqua and the audience we love.”

Buffalo Philharmonic Ratifies COVID Pandemic Agreement

The musicians of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) recently ratified a side letter to year five of their current six-year contract to help ease the burden of an expected significant financial loss for BPO’s 2020-21 season. The agreement sees the number of weeks change from 40 to 35 while still maintaining the previously negotiated weekly pay raise for the coming season. This will result in a nearly 12% drop in annual wages.

Many safety protocols were included in another side letter to allow the musicians to safely return to work. These include all of the AFM suggestions for health monitoring and risk mitigation in addition to 90-minute rehearsals without breaks. Distancing will be provided for onstage and backstage. BPO management is providing masks.

BPO musicians are members of Local 92 (Buffalo, NY).

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Tours Poland

In March the musicians of Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO), members of Local 92 (Buffalo, NY), went on international tour for the first time in 30 years, and only the second time ever. The tour to Poland was a result of BPOs friendship with composer/conductor Krzysztof Penderecki and Beethoven Easter Festival founder and artistic director Elzbieta Penderecka. BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta, a member of Local 125 (Norfolk, VA), had met them while guest-conducting in Krakow. In December 2016, Penderecki led a BPO concert. Soon after, Penderecka invited BPO to perform at the 11-day Beethoven Easter Festival in Warsaw. This year’s Festival celebrated Leonard Bernstein’s centennial. The orchestra also gave sold-out performances in Wroclaw, Lublin, and Katowice.

A group of about 30 BPO patrons took part in a special tour, attending the concert in Warsaw, then visiting Krakow and Prague. A brass and wind octet strengthened ties with Buffalo sister city Rzeszow by performing there. They also gave a masterclass and performance at the Penderecki Center in Lusalwice.