Breaking: Baltimore Symphony inks 5-year deal

Breaking: Baltimore Symphony inks 5-year deal

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norman lebrecht

August 28, 2020

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and its musicians today agreed a five-year contract to September 2025. It is their first long-term contract since the last one expired in 2016.

Covid has changed everything.

The terms include:
– Covid reductions during 2020-21 season, followed by annual increases. Year 1: 26% reduction in base scale and a 75% reduction in overscale and seniority Year 2: 1% increase in base scale Year 3: 1% increase Year 4: 1.75% increase Year 5: 2.5% (reaching a minimum annual wage of $90,100.
– Gradual increases in personnel, moving from 75 full-time musicians now to 85 in 2025.
– Continuation of medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, and instrument insurance.
– Formation of a diversity task force.
– Increased responsiveness in scheduling and programming to pursue new earned revenue and community engagement opportunities.

 

Comments

  • MikeyH says:

    Great news for a great orchestra!

  • Grittenhouse says:

    Will one of those ten hires at last be a Principal Harpist?

  • Barry Guerrero says:

    That’s quite a cut, but it beats becoming a telemarketer or Uber driver. It’s a very good orchestra, so I’m thankful it’s surviving in some form.

  • CA says:

    Good news-finally! Let’s hope this one sticks and that they don’t have to re-open the contract in short order. Personally, I hope that a new CEO is in their near future. Remember the antics from one year ago: this man does not play nice. And thankfully, Marin is done after one more season. Just enough, already, on that front as well.

  • Hayne says:

    A new 5 year soviet plan…again. It won’t last but
    it makes management look
    “responsible”.

  • CarlD says:

    Bravo … happy to hear this, or any positive news LOL.

  • Dave says:

    I wonder how long the musicians will be able to accept a pay cut of that amount. I wouldn’t be happy hearing that kind of news. Expect the grumbling to begin soon.

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