Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Reaches New Labor Agreement With Musicians

The orchestra and its musicians have now ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement 

The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) has announced the ratification of a new two-year collective bargaining agreement with its musicians, who are represented by the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore Local 40-543 of the American Federation of Musicians. 

This is now the second agreement negotiated between the BCO and its musicians, and the orchestra’s first in more than a decade. 

Reached after 15 months of talks between BCO’s leadership and the BCO Players’ Committee, the new agreement has updated how the orchestra runs operations. 

Changes include the creation of Assistant Principal positions within the orchestra’s string sections, more equitable practices to the orchestra’s audition policies, and standardizing the minimum number of players in each section of the orchestra.

The new agreement ensures the orchestra adheres to industry standard best practices, collaborative and supportive working environments, and financial sustainability.

“The BCO’s musicians are grateful for the collaborative spirit in which this contract was negotiated,” said BCO’s Principal Viola and member of the BCO Players’ Committee, Chiara Kingsley-Dieguez in the press release. “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.”

“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,” added BCO’s Board President Richard Miles. “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,” noted Ben Newman, BCO’s Executive Director. “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.”

Led by Robert Moody, who was named BCO’s Music Director in the Summer of 2024, the BCO features 40 rostered professional musicians and 17 community leaders. Among the orchestra’s achievements include three CDs released on the Naxos label. 

The BCO’s new concert season includes debut and return appearances from artists including baritone Troy Cook, clarinetist Rob Patterson, violinist and BCO Concertmaster Audrey Wright, pianist Christopher Goodpasture, and 2023’s Stulberg Competition Gold Medalist, cellist Amelia Zitoun.