True Concord Orchestra Musicians Demand Recognition

January 31, 2026

After 18 months of administrative stalling, the musicians of True Concord Orchestra (TCO) and members of Local 33 (Tucson, AZ) took their fight for professional dignity to the streets of Tucson in January. Despite unionizing under Local 33 in early 2024, the musicians are still waiting for management to recognize their status and begin the collective bargaining process. During the weekend demonstration, the air was filled, not with orchestral scores, but with chants of “Workers, united, we’ll never be defeated,” as members signaled their exhaustion with the ongoing delay.

For TCO performers, this movement is about bringing the organization up to industry standards. Ellen Ensey, a violinist with the group since 2004, highlighted the stark contrast between union and nonunion work. Drawing on her experience with the unionized Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Ensey noted that AFM contracts provide essential protections like guaranteed year-over-year work, transparent pay scales, and regulated breaks. Without a union, she argues, musicians are forced to accept contracts dictated entirely on management’s terms.

While Local 33 reports that more than 75% of TCO’s instrumentalists support the union, the board of directors has resisted, claiming in a letter to patrons that collective bargaining would upset the “delicate balance” between the orchestra and the singers. Local 33 President Alana Wiesing maintains that having a voice at the table is a collaborative necessity that ensures the future success of the organization. Although a government shutdown recently slowed the National Labor Relations Board’s review of their case, the musicians remain hopeful for a resolution. They continue to advocate for a fair agreement that replaces “take it or leave it” contracts with a truly collaborative professional environment.

More Articles

On the Road: Delivering the Union Message on the Conference Circuit

March 1, 2026

The AFM is dedicated to strengthening organizing and collective power through its “Stronger Together” campaign. This initiative combines educational events with direct outreach to musicians to raise awareness of the union among musicians and future members. In December, at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, the AFM partnered with Local 10-208 […]

---

Rising Costs and Travel Bans Impact Canadian Musicians

February 27, 2026

Cross-border travel to the US has become even more complex this month as a result of the bi-annual increase in premium processing fees and the implementation of sweeping new travel restrictions. Premium Processing Fees Surge Effective March 1, the fee for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) premium processing rose to $2,965 USD. The Canadian […]

---