Washington Classical Review

Photo: NSO

The musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra ratified a new four-year contract Friday that will help preserve the present roster and solidify the NSO’s future past the imminent closing of the Kennedy Center. 

The collective bargaining agreement between the DC Federation of Musicians, Local 161-710, American Federation of Musicians, and the National Symphony Orchestra Association calls for a 9% wage increase for all musicians over the first three years of the contract; the fourth year is open to future negotiation.

Musicians will also receive compensation for the increased amount of local travel, as the Kennedy Center closing has forced the NSO to perform in other venues spread across the D.C. metropolitan area in 2026-27 and possibly future seasons.

“This four-year agreement provides stability to the NSO musicians in a transitional moment,” said Ed Malaga, president of the DC Federation of Musicians. Jennifer Mondie, an NSO violist since 1995 and chair of the musicians’ bargaining committee, said that “NSO musicians are excited to share our performances not only with our long-time supporters, but with new audiences in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.”

The new arrangement will carry the NSO through the proposed two-year closure of the Kennedy Center and the end of the Trump administration, which initiated the controversial closing of the performing arts venue. The new contract, which runs through September 2, 2030, covers the musicians nearly as long as the recent extension of Gianandrea Noseda’s contract, which will take the music director through the NSO’s centennial season in 2031.