Listen to a radio interview on WYPR's Maryland Morning with Gar Richlin and Jane Marvine here.

Here's the official Press Release:

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Ratifies New Two-Year Contract

Baltimore, Md. (September 15, 2006) – The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and its musicians jointly announced today the successful settlement of a new two-year contract between the Association and members of Local 40-543 of the American Federation of Musicians. The new agreement will extend through September 13, 2008 and replaces the previous contract, which is due to expire tomorrow, Saturday, September 16 at midnight.

Under the new contract, a full-time, 52-week orchestra has been preserved with the musicians agreeing to a one-time, two-week furlough in the contract’s first year. The full 52-week season will be restored during the second year of the contract. The contract maintains the weekly compensation of $1,440 in the first year. In the second year, the weekly compensation will be $1,450 for the first 26 weeks and will increase to $1,500 for the second 26 weeks. In addition, the musicians will assume greater responsibility for healthcare and other benefits.

The settlement also requires the BSO to sign the new national live recording agreement between the American Federation of Musicians and the symphony, opera and ballet orchestra managers, and contains provisions that enhance the orchestra’s ability to make recordings and participate in other forms of electronic media. Other provisions give the musicians increased responsibility in hiring and tenure decisions. The contract also provides greater flexibility to the BSO in recognition of the fact that it has two homes, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore.

Commenting on the agreement, Michael Bronfein, newly elected chairman of the symphony’s board of directors said “The musicians deserve full credit and a huge thank you for playing their part to ensure our future fiscal stability. We are now in position to deliver some of the finest music in the world and, with the rigorous cost controls we have implemented, a balanced budget which our donors and supporters want and deserve.”

Under the new agreement, the orchestra will maintain its current size of 90 musicians for the upcoming season and will increase to 91 players for the 2007-08 season. The agreement also preserves the orchestra’s schedule of 43 weeks of performances, including a full summer season.

“Throughout this process, it was important to the musicians that the artistic quality which we have achieved continues to be recognized and enjoyed by as many people as possible.” said Jane Marvine, chairwoman of the symphony’s Players’ Committee. “We’ve worked hard to ensure the highest quality by preserving the commitment to a full-time, full-sized orchestra that will continue to attract the finest musicians. At the same time, we hope that our financial investment in the BSO, given in the form of concessions, will encourage others to follow our lead by investing in this most important cultural institution. With a new labor contract and dynamic new leadership from Michael Bronfein, Paul Meecham and Marin Alsop, we have great confidence in the BSO’s future.”

W. Gar Richlin, the BSO’s interim president and chief executive officer, said, “It is important for the community to acknowledge the vital investment made by the musicians to achieve this new contract. I am confident that with their example and our new leadership, the BSO’s future is very bright.”

Music Director Designate, Marin Alsop, commented “I’m extremely happy to hear of this outcome and look forward to working with the BSO players under this new agreement.”

The BSO’s incoming president and chief executive officer, Paul Meecham, noted that the successful conclusion of the negotiations will allow the new season to open without the pressure of continuing talks. Meecham added, “I am very impressed with the commitment shown by the musicians to the BSO’s financial and artistic future. This spirit of collaboration reflects very highly on the BSO family and I am thrilled to be joining the orchestra next month.”