The Nashville Symphony Orchestra and its musicians, members of Local 257 (Nashville, TN), have announced a new four-year contract that goes into effect August 1. Under the new agreement musicians will see a 3.5% increase in base salaries in 2018-2019, as well as increases of 3.75% in 2019-2020, and 4.25% for each of the final two years. The contract restores an unfilled first violin position in the first year and restores an unfilled cello position in the second year, returning orchestra membership to 83. The audition process also changed so that screens will be kept up throughout the entire audition to ensure impartiality.

Nashville Symphony violinist and Union Steward Laura Ross says, “As the orchestra has become busier performing an ever-expanding variety and quantity of material, we needed to address workload and working conditions, along with the financial package.”
“This contract helps bring these excellent musicians’ compensation closer to their high level of artistic achievement, and we are proud to represent them as we move forward together,” says Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy.

Ross says the negotiations were “efficient and collegial” and she thanked her colleagues for their hard work. “Thanks to the constant work and communication by both the negotiating committee and the orchestra committee with management,” she says. “We are all proud of the result and the future direction of the Nashville Symphony.”