THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY AND SEATTLE SYMPHONY & OPERA PLAYERS’ ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCE A FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT
AGREEMENT INCLUDES COMPENSATION INCREASES, EXPANDED ACCESS TO STREAMING CONTENT, AND A FORWARD-LOOKING MODEL ON HOW MUSICIANS PARTICIPATE IN THE DETERMINATION OF ARTISTIC APPOINTMENTS
Seattle, WA — Seattle Symphony President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan and Seattle Symphony & Opera Players’ Organization (SSOPO) Chair and Seattle Symphony Associate Principal Flute Jeffrey Barker announce a new four-year contract. For many years, the Seattle Symphony has been able to work efficiently toward its goal of artistic excellence because of the strong partnership and support from SSOPO. The Symphony and SSOPO reached this agreement collaboratively, well ahead of the current contract’s expiration, completing the first long-term agreement since emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The updated agreement puts the Seattle Symphony and SSOPO at the forefront of the industry by establishing a modern and collaborative approach for the musician hiring process and probationary period, as well as how Music Directors are appointed and renewed. During the pandemic, when it was impossible to hold auditions, the organization also reworked the audition procedure with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) goals informing the discussion. To that end, the contract codifies these processes, including partnering with organizations that promote equity within symphony orchestras and the ability to easily adapt procedures as best practices evolve over time.
The agreement includes annual compensation increases over the next four years — a 3.75 percent increase the first year and 4 percent increase for the subsequent three years, with additional increases in Principal Musician compensation and audition pay. These changes make the Seattle Symphony an even more competitive employer, which helps attract more highly qualified musicians and staff to the organization.
Shortly after the pandemic began, the Symphony was able to respond quickly and provide access to live-streamed concerts to audiences around the world, in collaboration with SSOPO and the International Guild of Symphony, Theater, Opera and Ballet Musicians (IGSTOBM), the musicians' union affiliation. The new agreement expands Seattle Symphony+ streaming content, allowing more past and future recorded performances to stream on the platform, and for longer periods of time.
“The Symphony is committed to serving our entire community and increasing access for all to experience the arts and symphonic music, in particular,” says Krishna Thiagarajan President & CEO of the Seattle Symphony. “This agreement mirrors our long-term strategic plan and, in addition to improvements to compensation, it introduces innovations in hiring and retention of musicians and conductors, providing musicians greater responsibility in hiring a more diverse orchestra for the future. Audiences are already reacting positively to the artistic direction of this expanded representation and I am excited for what the future holds for the Symphony and our community.”
"We are extremely proud of this agreement, which represents a huge step forward for the musicians and the Seattle Symphony as a whole,” says Jeffrey Barker, Seattle Symphony & Players’ Organization Chair and Seattle Symphony Associate Principal Flute. “It ensures that our musicians continue to play a vital role in shaping the artistic direction of the orchestra and strengthens the partnership between the musicians, the Music Director, the administration and the Board. At a time when performing arts organizations are still recovering from the pandemic, this four-year agreement demonstrates the Seattle Symphony’s shared commitment to moving forward, being a leader in the industry and it reflects our unity as an organization and our shared passion for bringing music to everyone in our community.”
The Symphony propels towards this future with a strong community of support and adept leadership. President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan has also extended his contract. Notably, under his guidance, the Seattle Symphony was one of the few U.S. orchestras that never laid off its musicians and continued to perform throughout the pandemic. Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot, who returned to Seattle at the beginning and end of the 2022/2023 season to lead two thrilling programs, remains committed to the Seattle Symphony’s artistic future, and will act as an artistic advisor to the Symphony while it continues its Music Director search.
The Seattle Symphony would like to thank the musicians’ negotiating committee for their collaboration and partnership throughout the contract negotiating process. The committee includes the following orchestra members: Jeffrey Barker (Associate Principal Flute), Natasha Bazhanov (violin), Olivia Chew (viola), John DiCesare (Principal Tuba), Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby (flute/Robert & Clodagh Ash piccolo), Timothy Hale (viola) and Alexander White (Associate Principal Trumpet). Symphony Vice President & General Manager Jennifer Adair led the bargaining efforts on behalf of the employer along with Chief Financial Officer & Benaroya Hall COO Cheronne Wong, and Personnel Managers Liz Kane and Keith Higgins.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY & OPERA PLAYERS’ ORGANIZATION (SSOPO)
The Seattle Symphony & Opera Players’ Organization (SSOPO) is the labor organization representing the musicians who perform for the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera. The bargaining unit is comprised exclusively of the members of the Seattle Symphony, including the music librarians. The self-governing organization is a chapter of the International Guild of Symphony, Theater, Opera and Ballet Musicians (IGSTOBM). The IGSTOBM was formed in Seattle as an independent union in 1985. The Guild won its first National Labor Relations Board-supervised elections in 1988, becoming the union representing the musician employees of the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony+ streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.
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Krishna Thiagarajan’s position is generously underwritten as the Leslie Jackson Chihuly President & CEO.
Ludovic Morlot’s position is generously underwritten as the Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus.
Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby’s position is generously underwritten as the Robert & Clodagh Ash Piccolo.