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Orchestra News

Orchestra of St. Luke’s Announces DeGaetano Composition Institute Participants

Orchestra of St. Luke’s (OSL) in New York City has announced the participants in its inaugural DeGaetano Composition Institute, to take place July 2019 at the orchestra’s home, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Emerging composers Viet Cuong, James Diaz, José Martínez, and Liza Sobel were selected by the institute’s mentors, composer Anna Clyne and conductor Ben Gernon.

Through April, each participant will receive one-on-one mentorship as they develop original chamber orchestra works through remote-learning sessions. Orchestra of St. Luke’s will fund the composers to travel to New York City for a one-week residency in July, where they will participate in artistic workshops with OSL musicians; professional development sessions with OSL staff; networking and professional development opportunities with industry leaders; coaching in public speaking; and guidance on funding and public relations.

The Composition Institute culminates in the world premiere of new works for chamber orchestra developed through the Institute. OSL musicians are represented by Local 802 (New York City).

edmonton symphony
Orchestra News

Edmonton Symphony Players Collect Money for Food Bank

edmonton symphony
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra musicians present their 2018 donation to Edmonton’s Food Bank. (L to R) are Robert Hryciw, Neda Yamach, Clayton Leung, Elizabeth Koch, Zoe Sellers, Megan Evans, Susan Flook, Ronda Metszies, Food Bank Executive Director Marjorie Bencz, Derek Gomez, and Edith Stacey. The Local 390 (Edmonton, AB) members have collected more than $182,000 from audience members in 10 years.

For the past 10 years, during intermissions in their December festive season concerts, members of the Edmonton Symphony Players Association go into the lobby to solicit monetary contributions to the Edmonton Food Bank from audience members. Their efforts have resulted in more than $182,000 in contributions.

“For many years the musicians of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra donated to the food bank as a group,” explains Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Violinist and orchestra committee Chair Susan Flook. “In order to increase their contribution, they decided to ask audience members to give during Christmas concerts. The players don their Santa hats and go out to the lobby at intermission to ask for cash donations.”

“If a symphony orchestra expects the support of a community, it must be relevant in more ways than artistically and culturally,” says Local 390 (Edmonton, AB) President Eddy Bayens. “There is the impact on the local economy, the effective promotion of the city and the province, the educational and social perspectives, as well as the concern about those who, for one reason or other, rely on social assistance.”

“The response from patrons has been enthusiastically generous,” says Flook. “The economy of Alberta has had many ups and downs recently and the musicians are glad to have played their part in helping their community.”

Orchestra News

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Votes to Authorize Strike

On February 13, musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), represented by Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL) voted to authorize a strike beginning March 10, if negotiations for a new contract are not complete. Contract talks began 11 months ago, with management seeking concessions in pension benefits, health care, and salary. A major sticking point is management’s desire to eliminate the musicians’ defined benefit pension plan, which has been in place for nearly 50 years, and move to a defined contribution plan.

CSO has run deficits for the past eight fiscal years—but the organization’s financial position has seen improvement, with ticket sales rising by $1.1 million for the 2017-2018 season. Musicians believe that management’s insistence on a concessionary contract is the result of a debt related to the orchestra’s venue.

“Management is trying to squeeze us to pay their bond debt for a rehab of Symphony Center costing more than $100 million,” says CSO principal percussionist Cynthia Yeh of Local 10-208. “We know that when people refer to the CSO they mean the musicians, our maestro, and the music—not the building (completed in 1997), however lovely it is. And it is for this—the music and musicians, the heart of the CSO—that we are willing to strike to protect.”

Orchestra News

Baltimore Symphony Musicians Continue to Champion Their Cause

In partnership with Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM), Baltimore Symphony Musicians planned to host an event February 27 to build support among politicians and other civic leaders as the musicians continue their fight for a fair contract. Performing works by Beethoven and Mozart, the members of Local 40-543 will be conducted by internationally acclaimed pianist, teacher, and former Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Resident Conductor Leon Fleisher, who recently turned 90. This event follows other outreach activities undertaken by the musicians—a brass extravaganza at Baltimore’s Basilica in November, a pop-up concert at Penn Station in December, and the delivery of more than 400 pounds of supplies to a food bank in response to the five-week federal employee furlough.

Although their contract extension expired January 15, the musicians continue to work scheduled rehearsals and concerts. Contract talks are scheduled for March and April. Members of the players’ committee have also been lobbying state and local legislators for increased funding.

AVAM, America’s official national museum for outsider art, is located in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore City. The museum’s director, Rebecca Hoffberger, is showing her strong support for the Baltimore Symphony Musicians by donating the museum’s performance space for the event. She says, “The late Jim Rouse said cities were meant to be gardens, in which to grow beautiful people.” Maintaining the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will help Baltimore and its environs be that garden.

Orchestra News

Philadelphia Orchestra Plans New Tour to China

At the end of January, The Philadelphia Orchestra announced plans for its 12th tour to China, in celebration of 40 years of official diplomatic ties between the US and China. In May, the orchestra will travel to Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai.

“It is always thrilling to return to China, especially during this special anniversary year,” says Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin of Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA). “What makes our journeys truly unforgettable are the ways we immerse ourselves in cultural exchange with musicians, young people, and audiences. We look forward to forging ever more meaningful connections between our cultures and communities through the joy and excitement of music.”

furloughed government employees
Orchestra News

Union Orchestras Provide Free Tickets and Donate Food for Furloughed Government Employees

furloughed government employees
On January 25, Baltimore Symphony Musicians, Local 40-543 members, delivered 448 pounds of groceries to an emergency food drive at the Manna Food Center in Maryland. The drive was in response to the federal government’s partial shutdown when more than 80,000 Maryland residents went five weeks without a paycheck. The food bank exclusively serves residents of Montgomery County, which is the location of the Strathmore Music Center, the BSO’s second home. Baltimore Symphony Musicians also delivered a cash donation to the Maryland Food Bank. Pictured (L to R) are Baltimore Symphony Musicians Greg Mulligan, Schuyler Jackson, Michael Lisicky, Brian Prechtl, Kevin Smith, and Mary Plaine, secretary-treasurer of Local 40-543.

To help employees facing hardship due to the government shutdown, union orchestras and their members provided free concert tickets to furloughed government employees and their families. Some offered complimentary tickets to various performances at the end of January, while others offered up to five free tickets to employees and their families for late January or February concerts.

Among orchestras that provided such tickets were: Akron Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, The Florida Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Spokane Symphony, and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, to name a few.

furloughed government employees
Pittsburgh family support center Providence Connections opened its doors to furloughed federal workers. Musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony, members of Local 60-471 (Pittsburgh, PA), donated money to the center’s food pantry. Presenting the check to Family Engagement Specialist Justin Brown are (L to R) Lorien Benet Hart and Jennifer Steele.  

Pittsburgh Symphony and Baltimore Symphony musicians  also helped furloughed employees by providing food and money to local food banks. Members of  Local 60-471 (Pittsburgh, PA) gave a check to Providence Connections’ food pantry as well as to Manna Food Center in Maryland in recognition and support of their Baltimore Symphony sisters and brothers. Members of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD) delivered 448 pounds of groceries to the Manna Food Center and made a cash donation to the Maryland Food Bank.

Orchestra News

Cleveland Orchestra Ratifies Three-Year Contract

In mid-December, musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra, members of Local 4 (Cleveland, OH), ratified a three-year agreement retroactive to September 3, 2018 that runs through August 29, 2021. The orchestra’s season remains 52 weeks and size remains 100 members. Musicians will receive raises each year of the contract. Base salary will rise from $135,096 (2017-2018) to $143,364 by the 2020-2021 season. Musicians also secured a small increase in the employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plans, as well as a new seniority category for 25-year musicians ($245 per week)—an item that had been sought in many previous negotiations.

Negotiations were, for the most part, cordial, but were held up several months due to management’s insistence on a health care concession that would have required musicians who enroll employed spouses on the orchestra’s health plan to pay a surcharge or other penalty. The negotiating committee held firm in rejecting this concession and made clear that the musicians were willing to withhold their services if necessary.

Orchestra News

Twin Cities Orchestras Achieve Balanced Budgets

Both the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra have announced balanced budgets for their 2017-2018 fiscal years. Musicians from both orchestras are represented by Local 30-73 (Minneapolis-St Paul, MN).

In Minneapolis, Minnesota Orchestra ended the fiscal year in the black, with its budget of $36.7 million. The orchestra drew audiences averaging 91% of concert hall capacity and enjoyed a successful fundraising year as well, adding 1,000 new donors to its ranks. Artistic highlights included domestic tours and tours abroad to London and South Africa, as well as a Grammy Award nomination.

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra balanced its $10.2 million budget. With a focus on attracting younger audiences, the orchestra saw 10% more school-age concertgoers at its performances, attributed to a continuing policy of providing free student tickets. A record number of unique households attended St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts. Donations from individuals also reached an all-time high. In February 2018, the orchestra won a Grammy Award for its recording of Death and the Maiden.

Orchestra News

Florida Orchestra Receives Education Program Funds

Hillsborough County in Florida approved an additional $100,000 to expand The Florida Orchestra’s music education program, presented through a partnership with Prodigy Cultural Arts Program and the University Area Community Development Corporation.

The program began in Summer 2018 with group violin lessons and free concerts by The Florida Orchestra’s musicians—members of Local 427-721 (Tampa, FL)—for Prodigy students and families. It now offers a 15-week after school program with group violin lessons twice weekly. The new funds will cover instrument rentals and supplies, and will allow hiring of additional violin instructors and a part-time coordinator.

Orchestra News

Cleveland Orchestra Receives Raises in New Agreement

On December 23, 2018, the Musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra ratified a new three-year contract, effective through the 2020-2021 season. The contract provides musicians with 2% annual raises; a new seniority pay category for 25 or more years of service; an increase to the employer’s contribution to the musicians’ retirement plan; and improvements to life insurance and long-term disability benefits. Musicians agreed to contribute more toward healthcare costs and will take part in a future healthcare plan review. Orchestra Committee Chair and Bassoonist Jonathan Sherwin of Local 4 (Cleveland, OH) noted that negotiations were cordial and civil, and emphasized the musicians’ desire to thank the Orchestra’s patrons, trustees, and donors for their tremendous support over the past 100 years.