Milwaukee Symphony Players Agree to New Two-Year Contract

The musicians will receive a 4.5% pay increase over the course of the 2023/24 season — with a further 3% pay rise to follow in 2024/25

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has reached a new two-year agreement with its players, following a period of collective bargaining. The agreement coincides with the orchestra's first two years of concerts in the brand-new Bradley Symphony Center, which was recently renovated and restored.

The contract agreement, which was reached with Local 8 of the American Federation of Musicians, enshrines a 4.5% pay increase over the course of the 2023/24 season — with a further 3% pay rise to follow in 2024/25. By the end of the contract, the orchestra's base salary will have increased to $74,310.

Mark Niehaus, the MSO's president and executive director, made sure that the new contract also contains new provisions intended to promote inclusivity and diversity in the orchestra's audition processes. These include an ongoing commitment to re-evaluate the audition process after each audition — in which a committee of musicians and staff members is appointed to discuss how the auditions could be made more equitable.

In addition, the orchestra will look at the introduction of virtual auditions, in an effort to include those musicians for whom travel costs would be a barrier to participating in a live audition.

"The musicians of the MSO are optimistic following the ratification of a new two-year agreement," said MSO principal percussionist Robert Klieger, who is also the chair of the Players' Council. "We continue to be encouraged by the level of support that our management and board demonstrate, despite the challenges of the past few years."