The Houston Symphony and Musicians Reach Four-Year Labor Agreement

The Houston Symphony Society, along with its musicians, announced today thatthey have reached a four-year labor agreement significantly ahead of schedule. The new agreement will continue aseries of musician salary increases intended to retain and attract the finest orchestra musicians possible and createnew opportunities for expanded community/educational activities and revenue-generating concerts whilemaintaining a sustainable financial position. Under the terms of the next contract, Houston Symphony minimummusician salary will increase an average of 2.85% annually to $97,240 during the 2017-18 season from its currentlevel of $86,840.

The existing contract is set to expire on October 4. Following a three-month period of highly constructive andrespectful negotiations, the new contract was ratified today by the musicians of the Houston Symphony, membersof Houston Professional Musicians Association, Local Union No. 65-699 of the American Federation ofMusicians, and by the Governing Directors of the Houston Symphony Society's Board of Trustees on April 15.The new agreement will begin October 5, 2014, and expire on October 6, 2018.

With a highly successful Centennial Season coming to a close, growing momentum is buoyed by the new laboragreement and places the Houston Symphony on track for more history- making when it welcomes the arrival ofits first Hispanic Music Director Andrés Orozco- Estrada, who begins a five year contract at the beginning of the2014-15 season. As it approaches the end of the current fiscal year on May 31, the Houston Symphony is ontrack to achieve a balanced budget for the fourth consecutive year thanks to record-setting contributed incomeand ticket sales.

"We're very proud of these successful negotiations. The new agreement represents a further strengthening of thepartnership between musicians, staff, and the board as we continue to enhance the performance and profile of ourgreat orchestra," says Executive Director/CEO Mark C. Hanson. "The terms will enable us to grow artistically,expand our engagement with Houston's growing and diverse population and maintain a sustainable balancedbudget."

"I, together with my orchestra colleagues, look forward to our work with Andrés, the staff and board to advance theartistry and reputation of the Houston Symphony here and beyond. We welcome the opportunity to serve ourhometown in an even broader way through additional free community programming allowed for in the newagreement," said Dave Kirk, Principal Tuba and Chair of the Musician Negotiations Committee.

Board President Robert A. Peiser added that "It is important to build on the success of the last four seasons as wecomplete an aggressive five-year financial plan in the upcoming 14-15 season. This contract, combined with ourgrowing audience and donor base, is a testament to the forward momentum present at the Houston Symphony.We are on solid financial and organizational footing as we welcome Andrés as our Music Director."

About the Houston Symphony

During the current 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony celebrates its 100th year as one of America's leadingorchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. In theupcoming 2014-15 Season, the orchestra begins its next century under the direction of Music Director AndrésOrozco-Estrada, the organization's first Hispanic music director and 15th overall. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The MajesticTheater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $30.7 million, thefull-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presentingmore than 286 performances for 300,000 people, including 82,000 children, annually. For tickets and moreinformation, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

About the Houston Professional Musicians Association, Local Union No. 65-699, AmericanFederation of Musicians

The Houston Symphony musicians are represented by the Houston Professional Musicians Association.Local 65-699 is the Local Union of the American Federation of Musicians of the U.S. and Canada.