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Charleston Symphony Orchestra Secures Five-Year Deal
For Immediate Release, November 2007
On Sunday, November 11, 2007, The Charleston Symphony Orchestra Association and orchestra musicians from Local 502 of the American Federation of Musicians ratified a new labor agreement extending through June 2012. A long-term contract of this kind provides a stable timeframe during which musicians and management can work together to focus on creating an artistic product of the highest caliber. The willingness of CSO musicians and administration to collaborate throughout these labor negotiations is a testament to the kind partnership that will enable the Charleston Symphony Orchestra to continue to succeed.
This five-year contract calls for a 2.8% salary increase for musicians in 2007-08 and a minimum of 3% salary increase each subsequent season through 2011-12. Players previously employed as less than full term contract musicians will be phased up to full term contract status in the course of the next 5 years. Every player will receive a signing bonus upon signing his or her individual contract of employment, and both musicians and staff members with a more than 5-year tenure with the orchestra will be honored with seniority bonuses. CSO Vice President of Finance, Ted Legasy, noted that “this contract is a win-win-win for the musicians, the CSO, and the Charleston community as it provides a sound baseline for securing the future of the orchestra.”
Also this month, contracts were signed by Music Director, David Stahl; Resident Conductor and Director of Education Programs, Scott Terrell and new Executive Director, Janet Newcomb. “These substantial commitments from both leadership and orchestra members represent an impressive level of artistic and administrative stability for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra,” Newcomb said on Tuesday.
The Charleston Symphony recently kicked off its 72nd season with acclaimed Masterworks performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste. The McCrady’s Pops series delighted audiences with a most recent performance of music from Bernstein’s West Side Story. Record numbers enjoyed the first of the CSO’s edgy Out of the Box series with special guest, jazz drummer, Quentin Baxter. Brand new series, Backstage Pass at the Sottile has successfully introduced new audiences to lesser-known repertoire in a fast-paced, casual environment. Ticket sales have already increased 8% in only the first two months of the season. “The 2007-08 season is off to an impressive start,” Newcomb reported, “and we still have six months left in the season! I expect this orchestra to continue to take significant strides forward in the coming months and years.”
On Sunday, November 11, 2007, The Charleston Symphony Orchestra Association and orchestra musicians from Local 502 of the American Federation of Musicians ratified a new labor agreement extending through June 2012. A long-term contract of this kind provides a stable timeframe during which musicians and management can work together to focus on creating an artistic product of the highest caliber. The willingness of CSO musicians and administration to collaborate throughout these labor negotiations is a testament to the kind partnership that will enable the Charleston Symphony Orchestra to continue to succeed.
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