“The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has ratified its collective bargaining agreement through 2020,” writes Nicholas Beard in Thursday’s (11/2) Musical America (subscription required). “The deal includes raises in NYC rates of 2.5 percent per year, restructured rates in various global markets … the creation of a new Chamber Music scale to support increased presence in NYC and tri-state area; and the creation of a new Community Engagement scale to reflect the orchestra’s commitment to broaden its reach in the local community. It also covers added flexibility to touring rules … [and] the implementation of an Artistic Oversight Committee to continually evaluate Orpheus’ structure … artistic quality … and structure of shared governance. Orpheus Artistic Directors Laura Frautschi, Alan Kay, and James Wilson said in a statement, ‘The ratification of this agreement clearly demonstrates our collective commitment to a flexible, thriving Orpheus.’ … The ensemble has also been awarded an increased grant of $175,000 from The Howard Gilman Foundation … towards general operating support of the orchestra’s 2017-2018 New York City performance activity.” Orpheus was founded in 1972 by musicians, and performs without a conductor, rotating musical leadership roles for each work. The orchestra’s artistic directors are Orpheus musicians, chosen by election.
Posted November 3, 2017
