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Press Releases
Baltimore Chamber Orchestra & Musicians Ratify New Two-Year Contract
October 23, 2024 (Baltimore, MD)
Ben Newman, Executive Director
Baltimore Chamber Orchestra
Ben@TheBCO.org | (410) 685-4050
For Immediate Release:
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Baltimore Chamber Orchestra & Musicians
Ratify New Two-Year Contract
The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is pleased to announce the ratification of a new two-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the orchestra’s musicians represented by the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore Local 40-543 of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The agreement is the second CBA negotiated between the BCO and its musicians, and its first in more than a decade, underscoring the growing positive relationship between the orchestra’s musicians and the organization.
The new contract was achieved after fifteen months of constructive negotiations between BCO’s leadership and the BCO Players’ Committee. Both parties worked diligently to ensure that the agreement elevates the orchestra’s operational practices to industry standard best practices, creates a collaborative and supportive working environment within the orchestra, and supports a financially sustainable path forward for the organization.
“The BCO’s musicians are grateful for the collaborative spirit in which this contract was negotiated,” said Chiara Kingsley-Dieguez, BCO’s Principal Viola and member of the BCO Players’ Committee. “While there is still more work to be done, this agreement is an excellent first step toward our goal of ensuring fair and equitable treatment of our musicians. We believe our orchestra has a very bright future and we look forward to working together with BCO’s management and board in the years ahead to accomplish our shared goal of presenting concerts of the highest musical quality in an environment that is warm and welcoming to everyone in our community.”
The agreement updates several important components regarding how the orchestra functions including the creation of Assistant Principal positions within the orchestra’s string sections, establishing more equitable practices to the orchestra’s audition policies, and standardizing the minimum number of players in each section of the orchestra.
Richard Miles, President of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra’s Board of Trustees expressed his enthusiasm for the productive negotiations saying, “This agreement is a moment of great pride for our organization and a reflection of the deep respect the Board of Trustees holds for our musicians. I am especially grateful to BCO Board Member John Roberts for his tireless efforts during these negotiations. We are thrilled to have a contract that solidifies a supportive working environment for our
musicians and further positions the orchestra for an exciting future under the direction of our new Music Director, Robert Moody. Their talent and dedication to the BCO are the heart and soul of our organization and a testament to our growing collaborative relationship.”
“Since joining the company two years ago, it has been one of my top priorities to ensure a consistently supportive environment for our musicians,” said BCO’s Executive Director, Ben Newman. “This agreement is an essential component to ensuring the BCO continues to thrive. In the same way our musicians come together to make music in harmony with one another, the boards and staff of American orchestras must also come together alongside our musicians to ensure we each play our part to realize our shared purpose of providing captivating musical experiences for our audiences.”
The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra’s 2024-25 five season includes debut and return appearances from some of the classical music scene’s most talented soloists including baritone Troy Cook, clarinetist Rob Patterson, violinist and BCO’s Concertmaster Audrey Wright, pianist and Peabody DMA candidate Christopher Goodpasture, and 2023 Stulberg Competition Gold Medalist, cellist Amelia Zitoun. For more information about the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.TheBCO.org.
ABOUT THE BALTIMORE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra has offered captivating classical music experiences for music lovers across the Mid-Atlantic for more than four decades. Through its commitment to nurturing both established and emerging talent, the BCO is characterized by its reputation for artistic excellence and engaging community programs as the only professional orchestra with a subscription series in Baltimore County. By attracting world-class artists to perform in Baltimore, the BCO is proud to be 1 of only 15 American cities to boast having both a top-tier Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra.
The BCO has recorded three CDs released by Naxos Records, toured in China, and presented a New York debut praised by The New York Times. Building on the legacies of past Music Directors Anne Harrigan and Markand Thakar, Maestro Robert Moody was named BCO’s Music Director in the summer of 2024. The orchestra’s roster features 40 of the area’s best professional musicians who perform in Goucher College’s 973-seat Kraushaar Auditorium. A committed group of 17 community leaders dedicated to artistic innovation, education, and community engagement serve on the orchestra’s Board of Trustees to oversee the organization’s operations and expand BCO’s legacy as a cherished and enduring presence in the region’s classical music scene.
Follow the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebaltimorechamberorchestra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baltchamberorch
W: www.TheBCO.org
E: info@thebco.org
P: (410) 685-4050
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