2 weeks Ago
As the musicians of the Pacific Symphony tune their instruments to start the 2024-25 season this month , they are without a contract as negotiations continue at the bargaining table. Earlier this month, flyers detailing their ask for “affordable healthcare and wages that do not continue to fall further behind the increasing costs of living in Orange County” were distributed to audience members at concerts at the Great Park Live amphitheater. Though their contract had just expired Aug.
31, the musicians’ flyer said they had been seeking a new agreement since April. When reached by phone this week, representatives of Musicians Union Local 7 as well as the Pacific Symphony management declined to comment on the current negotiations. “We’re in a very delicate part of our negotiations, and both sides have agreed not to talk to the press,” said Edmund Velasco, union president.
The musicians under the direction of Music Director Carl St. Clair are set to take their orchestra chairs for the season opener on Sept. 26, which also marks St.
Clair’s 35th anniversary year as the orchestra’s conductor. This is expected to be the last season St. Clair directs before moving to a different role with the symphony, said John Forsyte, CEO of the symphony.
St. Clair said in 2022 he intended to step back from the day-to-day work of leading the symphony. Forsyte said a national search is underway for his replacement.
St. Clair had said at the time he would remain in place until a new director was found and would help with the transition. His tenure is among the longest in U.
S. orchestral history. Related Articles.
