No money to play with: Chicago Symphony Orchestra goes on strike

Get short URL

Published time: September 23, 2012 11:10
Edited time: September 23, 2012 15:10

image from http://cso.org (credit Tod Rosenberg)

Tags

Music, USA

Patrons of one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five", The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, have been left to face the music: The musicians have gone on strike after rejecting proposals for a three-year contract.

The contract would have provided musicians with a minimum base weekly salary of $2,795 in the first year, $2,835 in the second and $2,910 in the third, the organization revealed. The previous weekly base minimum salary is $2,785, AP reported.

"Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians are world class professionals, and deserve every dollar and every benefit offered in this contract. At the same time, we must soundly manage the finances of the Association," president of the Orchestra Association, Deborah Rutter, explained in a statement.

The contract with musicians expired in mid-September, but employees had nevertheless agreed to begin the new 2012-2013 season. In the long run, contract negotiations that started in summer broke down with no “happy ending”.

Musicians reportedly left the negotiating table rejecting the association's final offer, and "proceeded to strike."

"We regret any inconvenience the musicians' strike causes our audiences and patrons and assure you that the Association remains committed to reaching a fair agreement," Rutter promised.

An orchestra performance set for Saturday night was canceled because of the strike.

Comments (1)

Former BBC Young Musician (unregistered) 23.09.2012 15:54

This is the industry today. The few old guard are getting paid crazy money and then the rest of us are making next to nothing. Its amazing how many old folks think they are world class, but in reality they are lazy and only there because of their age. There should be far more competition for places and no safe seats. Also these big orchestras get big donations from tasteless bankers purely based on their names not on their art. I recognise the need for such orchestras, but as they know they are sucking up a large percentage of money in the arts they should spend their immense resources as widely as possible including a large percentage on grassroots that will eventually replenish these croaking old folks. I was lucky to have rich parents and attended private school, but kids from state schools with lower income parents have little or no chance anymore. A sad reality that the behemoth orchestras should take note of. We should endeavour for a meritocracy as immense talents are being wasted.

Undo