“The new contract for symphony musicians is the latest sign of fiscal health for the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, which was on the brink just a few years ago,” writes Mark Eichmann in Friday’s (8/12) at radio station WHYY (Delaware Valley). “The new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the Delaware Symphony Association and musicians with Local 21 of the American Federation of Musicians will be good through August 2019. The new deal guarantees annual rate increases for musicians of 5 percent. ‘We feel confident in agreeing to these increases as our new strategic plan envisions significant geographic and programmatic expansion,’ said symphony executive director Alan Jordan.… Since Jordan joined the orchestra as executive director last year, the DSO has launched a new strategic plan which will, in part, make the orchestra more community-oriented.… The new CBA was praised by orchestra members like principal tuba player and musician representative Brian Brown. ‘The level of care and commitment the DSO management demonstrated for the long-term health and growth of the DSO and its musicians was unprecedented in my 20 years with the orchestra,’ Brown said. ‘I feel there is now a real partnership with the musicians and the stewards of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.’ ”
Posted August 15, 2016
