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Musicians And Management Agree To Orchestra Contract

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/11/2007 10:12 pm

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 resolved from 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.

Kurt Loft

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