[Philadelphia, PA – April 30, 2024] - The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and The Philadelphia Orchestra Association are pleased to jointly announce that the first collective bargaining agreement for the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir has been reached. This historic three-year agreement, approved by the AGMA Board of Governors on Monday, April 29, and ratified by the Shop, solidifies a partnership dedicated to elevating artistic excellence and to maintaining and fostering a fair and inclusive community.
“This first agreement not only recognizes the invaluable contributions of choral artists in the performing arts but also ensures that their voices continue to resonate within our community and beyond,” said Allison Beck, Interim National Executive Director of AGMA. “We appreciate the Philadelphia Orchestra Association’s collaboration with AGMA through the voluntary recognition process and look forward to what we hope will be a long, productive relationship. Big congratulations go to the Artists of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir!”
“We, the artists of the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, are proud to reach an agreement with The Philadelphia Orchestra Association,” the Choir said in a written statement. “We look forward to a positive working relationship and furthering the mission of the organization. We appreciate all the hard work and effort that's gone into this agreement and are extremely pleased to continue our work under this new contract.”
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that enshrines a three-year commitment to choral programming of the highest quality, thanks to the level of artistry that these professional singers bring,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “We are grateful to AGMA and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir for their partnership and look forward to continuing our collaboration and delighting audiences with extraordinary performances for years to come.”
The newly ratified contract includes significant gains, including increased fees and wages. Additionally, the agreement integrates a commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS).
ABOUT AGMA
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is the labor union of singers, dancers, and staging staff in opera, ballet and concert dance, and concert choral performance in the United States. A national union with a membership of over 6,500 artists, AGMA provides forceful advocacy and defense of its members’ employment and artistic rights. AGMA negotiates and enforces over 70 collective bargaining agreements throughout the country, ensuring fair and safe working conditions and enhancing the quality of life of its members. AGMA has a direct charter from the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO Branch of Associated Actors and Artists of America and the Department for Professional Employees (DPE). AGMA is also a part of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG).
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra strives to share the transformative power of music with the widest possible audience, and to create joy, connection, and excitement through music in the Philadelphia region, across the country, and around the world. Through innovative programming, robust education initiatives, a commitment to its diverse communities, and the embrace of digital outreach, the ensemble is creating an expansive and inclusive future for classical music and furthering the place of the arts in an open and democratic society.
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA SYMPHONIC CHOIR
The Philadelphia Symphonic Choir made its debut in December 2016, performing three programs with The Philadelphia Orchestra that season. Guided by the vision of Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and directed by Joe Miller, the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir is engaged in highest-level performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Consisting of talented vocalists from the Philadelphia area and around the country, the ensemble was created by The Philadelphia Orchestra to marry gifted and unique voices with the legendary Philadelphia Sound.