KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 228 negotiating committee
representing the musicians of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, announced that a new three-year collective bargaining agreement has been ratified with its musicians.
The announcement was made in a news release on Tuesday, November 15 that the transformative new agreement will until 2025 and further the Symphony’s
commitment to its musicians, to include a 9% pay increase over the term of the agreement for all per-service musicians.
Officials say the agreement comes hand in hand with the Symphony’s recently executed strategic plan aimed at an increased focus on community engagement, deepened commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, along with a dedicated plan for a sustainable future.
“As we enter a new century of music, this agreement provides a foundation for the KSO to create organizational stability as we move beyond the pandemic era,” said Executive Director Jessica Mallow Gulley. “These negotiations were an important time to discuss, together with our musicians, how to create a new way of operating that addresses issues that will move our entire organization forward. It was a true collaboration and is just the beginning of the bright future we’re building for the KSO in the community,” said Gulley.
The release went onto say that despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, the Symphony remained steadfast in its commitment to compensate its artists, even when the orchestra could not perform.
The orchestra then forged a path forward with digital concerts in 2020/21 where the musicians found renewed energy in creating the Symphony in the Summer Series.
“With this agreement, KSO Musicians eagerly begin the next 100 years of music making and community outreach in the greater Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan community,” says Noah Krzan, Chair of the Musicians Committee, a governing body that represents the orchestra. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the KSO board, staff, patrons, and all elements of our community, including those who have heretofore not had much involvement with a symphony orchestra. As we continue to move past COVID-19’s invasive phase in our lives and livelihoods, KSO musicians are eager to fully resume their livelihoods of bringing the joy and transformational experiences of live performance to all,” said Krzan.
The agreement reflects the KSO’s increased dedication to building community partnerships through musical experiences by giving it’s musicians access to professional growth opportunities centered around educational ensembles designed to deepen community impact, with additional flexibility around small ensemble work allowing the organization to extend its reach and increase accessibility throughout the region.
A core aspect of the contract also is a heightened focus on the benefits and well-being of musicians through expanded leave and vacation options, parental leave, and other wellness benefits.
The Kalamazoo Symphony employs eight full-time musicians through the Artist in Residence (AIR) program, which officials say is integral to expanding the Symphony’s reach in the community. The new contract expands the benefits for these individuals and includes important changes that will bolster the strength of the AIR program in the community.
The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra has served the community for over 100 years, actively collaborating with other Kalamazoo area organizations to inspire, care for, educate, and connect people through the arts. The KSO is the state’s third-largest orchestra, with more than 80 musicians administrative staff combined.
The KSO receives major support from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Stryker Johnston Foundation, and is also a member of the most recent cohort of the Catalyst Incubator Fund of the League of American Orchestras to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in the orchestra field.
Comments