Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra: Orchestra, musicians reach five-year contract agreement

Contact:
Mark Cantrell
Executive director, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Inc.
608-257-0638

Orchestra also announces additions to season’s concert schedule

MADISON, Wis., June 23, 2014 – The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Inc. (WCO) and the American Federation of Musicians Local 116 today announced that they have signed a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement. The contract, which begins in September, allows the orchestra to continue its signature Concerts on the Square and Master Works series, while expanding its presence in Madison and across the state. The orchestra also announced several new concerts that it has added to this season’s program.

“We are very pleased to have negotiated and signed this new agreement with our world-class musicians quickly, collaboratively and amicably,” said Mark Cantrell, executive director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. “Because of this collaborative effort, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra can more fully serve not just Madison, but all of Wisconsin through concerts, educational and other programs that connect the citizens of the state with the transformative power of music. The WCO’s Board of Directors thanks all of the orchestra’s musicians for their work with us on the agreement and on the new programming that it gives us the flexibility to provide.”

“Our new contract represents the commitment of the musicians of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra to continuing to provide the concert series that have become great traditions in Madison, while working to create new performance and other traditions across Wisconsin,” said Brian Whitty, a trombonist and President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 116. “The WCO’s musicians are proud of the important contributions we make to the quality of life in Madison and across the state. This new agreement ensures that we will continue to play a vital role in Wisconsin’s cultural life.”

The WCO also announced that four new concerts have been added to this season’s program, including performances in Madison, Spring Green and Baraboo.

“I am delighted that a new agreement could be reached with our remarkable players,” Maestro Andrew Sewell, music director and conductor of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. “They are a tremendous asset to the community and we look forward to introducing the orchestra to new audiences in Wisconsin. I am just as happy to announce that the orchestra has expanded its schedule for this season to include concerts at four unique venues.”

The new WCO 2014 concerts, all of which are open to the public, are:

• July 4, Blackhawk Country Club, Madison
• July 18, Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison
• August 18, American Players Theater, Spring Green
• August 22 and 23, Circus World, Baraboo

About the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, led by Maestro Andrew Sewell, is a vibrant and thriving professional orchestra dedicated to connecting its audiences to the power of music. The WCO performs approximately 30 concerts per year, including Concerts on the Square, Masterworks, Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah, Youth Concerts and other performances across the state. With a core orchestra of 34 musicians and a permanent home in Overture Center for the Arts magnificent Capitol Theater, WCO is one of the finest chamber orchestras in the country.