The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and its musicians approved a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement that includes the largest salary increases in more than a decade, both parties announced Thursday, days after the union members authorized a strike.
The contract, ratified Wednesday by members of the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, Local 40-543 of the American Federation of Musicians, takes effect Sept. 15, 2025, retroactively, and runs through Sept. 10, 2028.
Under the agreement, minimum annual pay will rise by about 12% over three years, with base salaries growing from the $90,107 of the previous contract to $92,811 in fiscal year 2026, then $96,523 the following year and finally $101,350, according to the agreement
The deal maintains the orchestra’s full-time roster of 85 members, including two librarians, and preserves benefits such as 11 weeks of paid vacation, at least 30 days of sick leave, employer-paid pension contributions and health coverage.
“This agreement reflects our deep appreciation for the artistry and dedication of our musicians,” BSO President and CEO Mark Hanson said in a statement. “Just as we are honored to recognize their value with meaningful pay increases, we are deeply grateful to our musician colleagues for embracing important changes that position us to expand audiences and strengthen revenue.”
Before the agreement, Baltimore Symphony Musicians voted to authorize a strike Monday, the day after their contract expired. The strike didn’t end up taking place.
However, negotiations were then described as collaborative, with both sides agreeing early on that raising musician pay was a shared priority.
Jeremy Buckler, chair of the Players’ Committee, said the agreement will help the orchestra remain competitive in recruiting and retaining musicians.
“This new contract empowers us to build on our legacy of world-class artistry, community, and economic impact, while enabling us to attract and retain the next generation of musicians,” he said in a statement.
The agreement introduces new scheduling and operational flexibility, which orchestra leaders said will allow the ensemble to be more responsive to audience demand and new performance opportunities.
The contract also features a complete redesign of the orchestra’s audition and tenure review system. Under the new rules, all applicants will be guaranteed a live audition without resume screenings.
Auditions will remain fully blind from the first round through the finals, and trial weeks have been eliminated. Tenured or probationary musicians will automatically advance to the first final round of national auditions. The tenure-review process has been revised with standardized evaluation criteria and enhanced feedback.
“These negotiations were guided by respect, transparency, and a commitment to shared aspirations,” BSO board chair Barry Rosen said in a statement.
He credited both the musicians and management with working toward a deal that balances compensation with institutional flexibility.
The new agreement marks a contrast with contract talks earlier in the past decade, which were often contentious and at times resulted in cuts to musicians’ pay and weeks of work. Leaders on both sides said the current deal positions the orchestra for stability and growth.
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