Chicago Sinfonietta musicians have a new one-year deal, but performances are still paused

First publishedAug 14, 14:52 UTC

Last updatedAug 14, 16:13 UTC · 15m ago

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Chicago Sun-Times6Chicago Sinfonietta musicians have a new one-year deal, but performances are still pausedAug 14, 14:52 UTCOpen ↗

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<p>Amid a trying moment for the local orchestra, the Chicago Sinfonietta and the players’ union, the Chicago Federation of Musicians, have agreed to a new, one-year contract.</p><p>But that contract, announced Thursday, arrives with only one performance on the horizon as <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/classical-music/2026/05/07/chicago-sinfonietta-layoff-program-pause-finance-classical-music-2027https://chicago.suntimes.com/classical-music/2026/05/07/chicago-sinfonietta-layoff-program-pause-finance-classical-music-2027" target="_blank" ><u>the Sinfonietta has abruptly halted concerts and educational programming</u></a> and laid off administrative staff. The nearly 40-year-old group is known for <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/classical-music/2026/05/08/chicago-sinfonietta-pause-financial-trouble-musicians-reaction-shock-diversity-classical" target="_blank" ><u>championing diverse musicians and composers</u></a>.</p><p>The players’ current three-year labor agreement was set to expire at the end of this month, and renewal was uncertain, given the Sinfonietta’s abrupt pause that started in the spring. Management calls it a “strategic renewal period” to focus on fundraising and sustainability planning.</p><p>“The agreement continues the long-standing collaborative labor relationship between the [Chicago Federation of Musicians] and the Chicago Sinfonietta, ensuring that a collective bargaining framework remains in place as the organization works to strengthen its financial foundation and chart its next chapter,” the union said in a statement.</p><p>BJ Levy, president of Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208 of the American Federation of Musicians, said Thursday that management bargained in good faith to reach the agreement, which includes a cost-of-living increase. “We’re pleased that we were able to get wage gains in this one-year period,” Levy said.</p><p>However, the 63 rostered musicians only get paid when they perform, which they haven’t done with the Sinfonietta since May.</p><p>The new agreement currently includes only one upcoming concert, to be held in January, in alignment with Martin Luther King Jr.

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  Chicago Sinfonietta musicians have a new one-year deal, but performances are still paused

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