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Orchestra, Bosses Cut Deal

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By KURT LOFT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 11, 2007

Previous Coverage: Musicians Had Performed On A Pay And Play Basis

TAMPA – The Florida Orchestra will open its next masterworks program with the joys of Mozart and Sibelius, but just as important as the music will be a bit of security behind the scenes.

That's because musicians and management this week agreed to a new three-year contract, one shaped by difficult budget cuts and concessions, but a contract nonetheless.

To make it work, management had to trim $600,000 from the budget, five administrative positions, shorten the season from 33 to 29 weeks and reduce the size of the orchestra by six players.

The 74 full-time musicians will receive a base salary of about $27,500, slightly less than in their previous contract, which expired in August. However, the numbers will rise to about $30,400 by the third year.

The orchestra will hire freelance musicians when larger musical forces are required.

Orchestra officials say the contract was forged under trying circumstances. In the past two seasons, the group has posted more than $1 million in budget shortfalls while expenses have risen and attendance has remained flat.

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