Tag Archives: orchestra news

Orchestra News

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Signs Contract

At the end of August, musicians and management of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) announced a five-year CBA that began September 1. This is the first time in more than 30 years that an OSM musicians’ contract has been negotiated and signed before the expiration of the previous one.

OSM musicians, members of Local 406 (Montreal, PQ), will see annual salaries increase 10% over the five years, along with greater pension benefits. The agreement allows flexibility that will facilitate cost control, while also protecting and improving the working conditions of musicians.

“This agreement is the result of a spirit of collaboration between OSM management, its musicians, and their union,” says Luc Fortin, president of Local 406. “In the current context, it is important to work together toward long-term and realistic solutions that will ensure the sustainability of the jobs of our members, while maintaining working conditions befitting of an orchestra of international reputation.”

Orchestra News

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Marks Its 100th Anniversary

This year, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) celebrates its 100-year anniversary season. Four special concerts will be held during the season, including a live symphonic performance to La La Land in November. On January 26, 2019, the 100th anniversary of the VSO’s first concert, a free music day will be held with performances and activities from VSO, VSO School of Music, and Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra. Vancouver musicians are represented by Local 145 (Vancouver, BC).

Orchestra News

Two-Year Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Contract Amid Increased Stability

In mid-August, the musicians of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) ratified a two-year contract that runs from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2020. It was agreed that a two-year agreement would best serve the situation, as RPO is in the final stages of a five-year stabilization plan and is seeing an improving financial state.

Under the contract, the orchestra will remain at 82 musicians, represented by Local 66 (Rochester, NY), and season length increases from 37 to 38 weeks. Salaries will increase from $43,778.40 to $46,092.48 in the final year of the contract (2019-2020). Any increases in the premium costs of health care each year is covered up to 10% by the employer. Musicians are responsible for any increases greater than 10%. Health insurance is extended to part-time orchestra musicians with at least five years of service.

“Negotiations were conducted in an atmosphere of trust, goodwill, and openness on both sides,” says Stephen Laifer, RPO horn player, ICSOM representative, and a member of the orchestra committee.

Orchestra News

Spokane Symphony Concerts Celebrate Labor Day Weekend

Spokane Symphony is set to celebrate Labor Day Weekend with free concerts of light classics, patriotic tunes, and favorite movie music. The first of the concerts is Saturday evening at Pavillion Park on Liberty Lake. The second concert, will be Monday at Comstock Park and includes a preconcert instrument petting zoo. Spokane Symphony musicians are members of Local 105 (Spokane, WA).

Orchestra News

Reno Philharmonic to See Increased Wages and Services

Musicians and management of the Reno Philharmonic have announced a four-year contract, effective July 2018 through June 2022. It provides a per-service pay increase of 3% each year, as well as additional guaranteed services.

Reno Phil, entering its 50th anniversary season, performs more than 30 concerts annually in the Reno-Tahoe region of Nevada. The Philharmonic’s musicians are members of Local 368 (Reno, NV).

Orchestra News

Festivals and Symphonies Celebrate the 100th Birthday of Bernstein

In May 2017, the Leonard Bernstein Office announced “Leonard Bernstein at 100,” a two-year global celebration of the artist’s life and career, featuring more than 2,500 events on six continents. This summer, events accelerated as Bernstein’s actual 100th birthday, August 25, drew near. The composer and conductor had a close relationship with the Tanglewood Festival throughout his career. For its celebration, Tanglewood augmented the Boston Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 9-535 (Boston, MA), with players from numerous orchestras around the world with which Bernstein had maintained close associations. It also held a Bernstein gala concert in June.

In Europe, Bernstein was the most performed composer at the BBC Proms. Among the highlights, Marin Alsop conducted Symphony No. 2: Age of Anxiety with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 40-543 (Baltimore, MD), and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet in August. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra also visited Edinburgh International Festival to perform Bernstein works.

Ravinia and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, members of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL), marked the occasion with a full production of MASS and a concert featuring Symphony No. 1 Jeremiah. At the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, The New York Philharmonic gave concerts celebrating Bernstein’s contributions to Broadway. Wolf Trap’s grand celebration of Bernstein included performances by George Takei, Misty Copeland, and Local 802 (New York City) member Paquito D’Rivera.

Orchestra News

Nashville Symphony to Hold Free Day of Music

The Nashville Symphony will hold its 13th annual Free Day of Music October 27 with a full day and evening of performances throughout Schermerhorn Symphony Center, including everything from classical and jazz to rock and country, beginning with a Nashville Symphony concert. In addition to 25 acts on four stages, there will be Q&A with Nashville Symphony conductors; enhanced accessibility with sensory-friendly offerings and ASL translators, Halloween and Day of the Dead themed family activities; an instrument petting zoo, food trucks, an outdoor beer garden, and a photo booth.

The annual event is part of Nashville Symphony’s commitment to provide accessible musical experiences for everyone in Middle Tennessee. Nashville Symphony musicians are members of Local 257 (Nashville, TN).

Orchestra News

Columbus Symphony Orchestra Achieves First Progressive Contract in a Decade

At the end of July, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) ratified a three-year contract that goes into effect September 1. It is the first progressive contract that CSO musicians, members of Local 103 (Columbus, OH), have seen in more than 10 years.

In 2010, CSO hit a financial crisis and musicians took drastic cuts in order to keep the orchestra from shutting down. The orchestra was bailed out by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, which extended a line of credit and took over some orchestra operations. Musician salaries have remained mostly stagnant since the concessions made eight years ago.

In spring 2018, with the stability of the organization continuing to improve (concert attendance, for example, increased 9% last season), the organization restored employer group health insurance. Musicians took the opportunity to continue the conversation, and negotiations began in an effort to restore wage scales and work weeks. Increases achieved include raises that will average 3.5% each year, as well as weeks added to the season. One week will be added in each of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons, bringing the total to 28 weeks by the third year of the contract. Orchestra size will remain 47 musicians.

“We still have a very long way to go toward restoring all that we lost, but with this new agreement, we are finally moving in the right direction,” says Doug Fisher, a CSO bassoonist and president of Local 103. “This new agreement speaks volumes about the hard-won progress the Columbus Symphony has made to stabilize itself as an organization, allowing it to now move forward and begin rewarding those committed to its long-term success. We look forward to all the exciting things ahead for the Columbus Symphony and are proud to be a part of it.”

Orchestra News

New York City Ballet Orchestra Ratifies a New Three-Year Contract

In early June, the New York City Ballet Orchestra ratified a three-year contract that is retroactive to September 1, 2017 and runs through August 2020.

The contract provides pay increases of 2.5% each year and maintains season length at 24 weeks, with four additional paid weeks off. Orchestra size remains at 63 contract musicians, as well as three part-time rotating musicians. The ballet’s musicians are represented by Local 802 (New York City).

Numerous changes were made to audition language, including defining the composition of the committee for section violin auditions; terms under which a musician may withdraw from an audition committee; terms allowing a musician to be appointed without audition; establishing secret ballots for all rounds while allowing for discussion; and defining when and how audition trials may occur.

Orchestra News

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Expands Season with New CBA

In late June, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) musicians, members of Local 8 (Milwaukee, WI), and management reached a four-year contract agreement that will cover the 2018-2019 season through the 2022-2023 season. Musicians will see an increase of 1.75% in 2018-2019 and increase of 3.5% in 2020-2021, which will bring base pay to $70,722.96. The pay increase in the 2020-2021 season will come with an additional week of services—increasing the season length to 42 weeks. Substitute/extra pay will increase 12.4% per service over the term of the agreement.

“This four-year agreement, following a holding pattern in recent years of short-term contracts, demonstrates a commitment by the MSO board and management to artistic quality and stability for musicians during this exciting time of transition for the MSO,” says Laurie Shawger of Local 8, chair of the players’ council.

During the contract term, MSO will move into a new concert hall—a former theater space that is under renovation. The orchestra is expected to make its debut in the new hall in 2020. The symphony is also currently searching for its next music director. The new season is planned with a series of guest conductors.