Toledo Symphony and Musicians Agree to Contract
Toledo, OH (PRWEB) September 25, 2013 -- The Toledo Symphony and its musicians, members of the Toledo Federation of Musicians Local 15-286, have agreed to a contract for the 2013-2014 Season.
With this agreement, Toledo Symphony musicians, executive and artistic leadership, and administrative staff have joined together in compensation reductions ranging from 5 to 20 percent. In addition, employer contributions to the 403(b) plan for musicians will be retained but reduced to 1%. The concert schedule for the Symphony’s 70th anniversary season (2013-2014) will remain unchanged.
Discussions regarding the contract were supported by a shared commitment to focus on the organization’s long-term financial stability and sustainability in serving the community, all supported by steadily increasing ticket sales and fundraising.
“The Board of the Toledo Symphony is very pleased that the parties were able to reach an agreement in this challenging economic environment,” said Symphony Board Chairman Dick Anderson. “We appreciate the dedication and openness of the musicians, board, and staff during this process over the last several months. It is important that we work to leverage these shared sacrifices across the organization to support progress and renewed growth. All of us are so grateful for our community’s continued support of the Symphony as we create our future.”
The musicians voted to approve the new contract on Thursday, September 19th.
"This was a very difficult negotiation resulting in financial concessions that take the musicians back more than a decade," said Toledo Symphony Orchestra Committee Chairperson Georg Klaas.
"These concessions stand in contrast to the steady growth in recent years in both the quality of our performances and overall skill and training of our members. Despite the increased financial challenges the new agreement creates for individuals, however, the musicians felt it was of paramount importance to provide an uninterrupted season of great live music for our community and focus our energy on working with our board on common goals that will enable us to move our organization forward."
The new agreement reduces the minimum annual salary of core orchestra musicians, of which there are 50 members, to $23,703.
The organization’s budget includes ambitious revenue objectives for the 2013-2014 season.
“Our admiration for the TSO musicians has grown immensely during the negotiation process,” says Kathleen Carroll, TSO President and CEO.
“In spite of the concessionary nature of our talks, evident always was musician regard for the quality of their performances, coupled with abiding desire to continue to deliver high levels of community service,” she added.
“Two examples are the February ProAm concert for adult amateurs, who will perform side-by-side the pros in the Peristyle, and the arena performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in April with a massive student and community choir. These are in addition to a full complement of performances, outreach and educational activities.”
The Toledo Symphony is recognized as the musical heart of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Led by Principal Conductor Stefan Sanderling and Resident Conductor Jeffrey Pollock, the orchestra presents five concert series with performances designed to capture the imagination of young children and adults alike, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. In addition, the Symphony’s extensive Regional and Neighborhood concert series has made deep community connections for over 30 years. More than 400 concerts are presented each year touching the lives of some 250,000. The Symphony sponsors the three Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras, Toledo Symphony School of Music, and also provides the orchestra for Toledo Opera and Toledo Ballet. The orchestra celebrates its 70th anniversary this season.
Ashley Mirakian, Toledo Symphony, http://www.ToledoSymphony.com, +1 (419) 418-0032, [email protected]
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