An unsigned story posted Monday (9/15) at Chattanoogan.com (Tennessee) reports, “The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and Local 80 of the American Federation of Musicians have agreed to a two-year contract covering the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons with no cuts in the size or scope of the orchestra and with an increase in musician wages. The agreement maintains the number of rehearsals and performances and the number of musicians as in previous years. Musicians will receive approximately 2 percent in wage increases over the two-year agreement. It is the first contract to cover more than one year since 2008. ‘We are delighted to reach this agreement,’ said Molly Sasse, CSO executive director.… ‘While we had deficits for the past two seasons, the size of the deficit dropped significantly last year.’…Taylor Brown, principal bass for the CSO and orchestra representative, stated, ‘The musicians of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera are pleased with the outcome of the most recent negotiations. We know the board and management are working hard to overcome the past seasons’ deficits by raising new funds and moving forward in a positive direction.’ ” 

Posted September 16, 2014

Pictured: The marquee last week outside Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre, where the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera performs