The San Francisco Ballet has secured a new three-year contract with its orchestra, ahead of the original agreement’s expiration later this year. This agreement, made with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), which represents over 70,000 professional musicians in the U.S. and Canada, allows the Ballet Orchestra to expand, adding a new position and increasing its size to 50 musicians.
The announcement comes as the Ballet Orchestra prepares for its 50th anniversary season, set to begin in December. Peter Wahrhaftig, AFM representative and principal tubaist of the orchestra, emphasized that the agreement reflects the Ballet’s commitment to its musicians as a vital part of the company’s foundation. He also noted that the contract helps attract and retain new musicians.
In December 2023, the Ballet reached a separate two-year agreement with the performers’ union, which represents 84 dancers and three stage managers. That contract addressed wage increases, health and wellness provisions, and staffing, among other matters. It ended months of negotiations following concerns about the well-being of dancers and a rise in workers’ compensation claims.
At the same time, the Ballet faces lawsuits from two dancers who claim they sustained permanent injuries after being forced to perform through pain.
This new contract with the Ballet Orchestra comes amid tense labor negotiations in the arts community. The San Francisco Symphony, for example, has been dealing with protests from musicians and choristers over issues including compensation, artistic direction, and financial transparency. Tensions have risen as the Symphony prepares for the departure of Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, who cited disagreements with the board as the reason for his departure after his final performance in mid-June.
Unlike the ongoing struggles at the Symphony, the Ballet Orchestra’s negotiations were described as “unprecedentedly smooth” by Wahrhaftig, who credited the strong relationship between musicians and management for the swift agreement.
In addition to the contract, the Ballet announced a significant donation from philanthropists Shelby and Frederick Gans, longtime supporters of the company. The gift will support the Ballet through 2050 and celebrates the 20th anniversary of Martin West, the Ballet Orchestra’s music director and principal conductor.
Shelby Gans expressed pride in the Ballet Orchestra’s artistic excellence and said the donation is a tribute to West’s dedication and the orchestra’s 50th anniversary. The exact amount of the donation was not disclosed.
Executive Director Branislav Henselmann also expressed excitement about celebrating the company’s artists in the upcoming season.
