Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Musicians Reach Landmark Three-Year Agreement

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and its musicians, represented by the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, have finalized a comprehensive three-year collective bargaining agreement that represents the most significant financial commitment in over a decade. This agreement increases minimum musician compensation by 12% over the contract term, reaching $101,350 by the 2027-28 season, while introducing groundbreaking changes to audition and tenure processes that could establish new industry benchmarks.

Mark Hanson, president and CEO of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, emphasized the mutual respect underlying the negotiations, stating that the agreement reflects deep appreciation for the musicians' artistry while positioning the organization for audience expansion and revenue growth. The sustained full-time musician complement of 85 positions, including two librarians, maintains the ensemble's growth achieved in previous contracts while providing operational flexibility to respond to new performance opportunities and audience expectations.

The revised audition process represents a paradigm shift in orchestra hiring practices. All applicants will now receive invitations to live auditions without resume screening, eliminating trial weeks to ensure hiring decisions are based solely on blind auditions. The new system also discontinues internal auditions while allowing tenured and probationary musicians automatic advancement to the first final round of national auditions. These changes, developed through months of collaborative dialogue, guarantee equal opportunity for all candidates and establish formalized evaluation criteria that could influence orchestra hiring nationwide.

Jeremy Buckler, chair of the Players’ Committee, highlighted the musicians' commitment to Maryland audiences and the contract's role in attracting and retaining future generations of musicians. The agreement maintains a competitive benefits package including 11 weeks of paid vacation, at least 30 days of sick leave, employer-paid pension contributions, and comprehensive medical and dental coverage. More information about the BSO's programs and performances can be found at https://www.bsomusic.org.

Board Chair Barry Rosen acknowledged the negotiations were guided by respect, transparency, and shared aspirations, recognizing the contributions of the Orchestra's negotiation committee, management team, Board of Directors, and community supporters. The ratified agreement, effective from September 15, 2025, to September 10, 2028, includes structured annual pay increases of 3% in year one, 4% in year two, and 5% in year three, providing financial stability while enabling the BSO to remain a cultural cornerstone for future generations.