From TOLEDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Toledo Orchestra Association, Inc., Board of Trustees approved a new three-year contract with Toledo Symphony Orchestra’s musicians at its year-end meeting on June 21. The musicians, members of the Toledo Federation of Musicians Local 15-286, approved the contract in voting conducted on May 21.
The three-year contract takes effect on Sept. 1, 2016, and provides for a 2 percent raise on base salaries each year. It covers 60 contracted musicians, and extends to other musicians who are brought in to supplement the core group as needed.
“The seasoned professionals of the Toledo Symphony are fundamental to the high quality of music produced across our entire region, so it makes sense for the association to invest in this important music asset,” said Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica and board trustee chairman. “It is our responsibility to sustain the orchestra’s mission of preservation and education if we intend to continue to be the best regional orchestra in America.”
“The TSO is currently facing many challenges and is in a period of transition in both its artistic and administrative leadership,” Garth Simmons, chairman of the orchestra’s bargaining committee and the symphony’s principal trombonist, said. “This new agreement demonstrates the shared commitment of the Board, musicians, and management to the long-term stability and growth of the orchestra.”
Entering its 73rd season, the Toledo Symphony annually performs nearly 100 concerts in its Classics, Mozart, Chamber, Pops, and Family series, six operas, and neighborhood and regional shows. Additionally, members of the orchestra’s chamber ensembles perform in every elementary school in the Toledo Public Schools system, as well as in many other schools across Northwest Ohio.
The symphony performs at the Toledo of Art Museum’s Peristyle, Lourdes University’s Franciscan Center, The Toledo Club, the Stranahan Theater, the Valentine Theater, Rosary Cathedral, and on occasion the Huntington Center. The symphony has performed at venues as far away as Bryan, Greenville, New Bremen, and Portsmouth, all in Ohio.
