September 3, 2026

Fort Wayne Philharmonic Reaches New Four-Year Agreement With Musicians

Agreement strengthens Musician compensation, expands the season, and positions the Philharmonic for continued growth.

FORT WAYNE, IN — September 3, 2026: The Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Fort Wayne Musicians Association, American Federation of Musicians Local 58, have reached a new four-year collective bargaining agreement, marking an important milestone in the Philharmonic’s continued growth and commitment to the community.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the Philharmonic’s future and expansion of opportunities for Northeast Indiana audiences through investments in Musician wages and season expansion.

“We are incredibly pleased to have reached an agreement that allows us to move forward together,” said Brittany Hall, President & CEO of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. “This agreement recognizes the tremendous value our Musicians bring to this organization and to our community, while also creating a sustainable path for the Philharmonic to continue growing. I am grateful to our Musicians, board and negotiating teams for approaching this process with a spirit of partnership and a genuine desire to find a path forward together.”

“Our new agreement brings Musicians meaningful gains in wages, additional work weeks and a bolstered benefits package, while also improving the audition, probation and tenure processes for the newest members of our orchestra,” said Philharmonic Players’ Association Chair Debra Welter. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the Philharmonic Board, management and staff as we bring symphonic music to audiences across Northeast Indiana.”

Key Terms of the Agreement

The four-year agreement includes:

• Significant increases in Musician compensation, totaling approximately 30% in cumulative increases over the life of the agreement.

• Season Expansion, increasing from 30 weeks in the first year of the agreement to 32 weeks in the third year.

• Increased employer-paid pension contributions, strengthening long-term benefits for Musicians.

• Enhanced family benefits, including the addition of paternity leave.

• Increased HSA contributions, further strengthening the Philharmonic’s overall benefits package.

• Audition process updates, aligning closer to Union and Sphinx Organization recommended practices.

• Probation and Tenure process updates, drawing us closer to Union and Black Orchestral Network (BON) recommended practices.

The agreement comes at an exciting time for the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, following the opening of its new downtown home earlier this year and the search for a new Music Director. The agreement will provide a strong foundation allowing the Philharmonic to continue investing in its Musicians while expanding its artistic offerings, education programs and community engagement initiatives. “This agreement is a reflection of what we can accomplish when we come together around a shared commitment to the Philharmonic and the community we serve,” Hall said. “Our Musicians are at the heart of everything we do, and I’m thankful for the collaborative spirit throughout these negotiations. We are excited to move forward as one organization, focused on our Musicians, our audiences and the future of the Philharmonic.”

The agreement also strengthens the Philharmonic’s ability to attract and retain exceptional Musicians, helping ensure that audiences across Northeast Indiana continue to experience outstanding orchestral performances for years to come. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic extends its appreciation to its Musicians, board, staff, supporters and community partners for their commitment to the organization and their shared belief in the power of music to bring people together.

Fort Wayne Philharmonic: Now entering its 83rd season, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s mission is to foster and instill a lifelong love of music across the orchestral spectrum through live performances and educational experiences. Through the leadership of President and CEO Brittany Hall, and support of the Board of Directors, musicians, and staff, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic strives to be one of the most vibrant and financially healthy orchestras in the country and a cornerstone of the regional community. Its programs are characterized by excellence and innovation in a variety of styles, media,

and venues, and create inspiring and engaging experiences for all audiences. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is a funded member of the Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.