WASHINGTON — The show will go on after all.
Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) called off a strike Friday just hours after it was first announced. That means the highly anticipated Season Opening Gala concert at The Kennedy Center will go on as scheduled Saturday evening.
According to a release from the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 161-710, the group reached a new $1.8 million deal to increase musician wages and schedule future negotiations. The two-year deal increases wages for musicians by 4% in the first year, and another 4% the year after, with renegotiations scheduled to continue in early 2026.
A NSO musician will now earn a base salary of $165,268 in their first year and $171,879 in year two. Previously, the average NSO musician earned $186,000 annually, with a base salary of $159,000.
The deal also comes with expanded healthcare options at lower costs, additional paid parental leave, a new full-time librarian position requested by the musicians, as well as updates to the audition and tenure process.
"At this time, members of the NSO are beginning rehearsals for the tomorrow’s gala," an NSO spokesperson said Friday afternoon. "The NSO is incredibly grateful for the outpouring public support for our world-class artists. We look forward to performing for all of our supporters, patrons, and artists in the days and years to come."
NSO musicians had initiated a strike just hours before reaching this deal following previous unsuccessful talks with Kennedy Center. In a statement, the Kennedy Center had expressed disappointment over the strike, noting their proposal for a four-year contract valued at $8 million, which included a 13% wage increase aimed at addressing inflation and reduced employee contributions for healthcare.