New Contract for Charlotte Symphony Musicians Raises Salaries, Aims to Increase Diversity

In Wednesday’s (8/18) QCity Metro (Charlotte, North Carolina), Glenn H. Burkins writes, “The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has reached a new three-year agreement with its musicians’ union, both organizations announced today. Key provisions include: A 13.5% salary increase for all full-time musicians over the life of the contract; an additional work week beginning in the second year of the contract; a provision that could lead to more racial diversity among orchestra musicians. Under the agreement, reached with the American Federation of Musicians, Local 342, the minimum salary for CSO musicians will increase from $45,861 to $53,709 over the course of the contract…. David Fisk, president and CEO of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, said the new contract will have an ‘industry-leading tenure process’ heavily influenced by the Black Orchestral Network, a national organization that offers support to Black orchestra musicians…. One goal, Fisk said, is to increase the number of Black musicians who are offered tenured positions … A study released by The League of American Orchestras in 2023 found that Black musicians represented 2.4% of the musicians on the orchestras surveyed…. Fisk said the orchestra has been working with historically Black universities and other institutions to increase the pipeline of Black musicians auditioning.”