The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) musicians and management have ratified a new four-year contract that will secure the orchestra through the two-year renovation of the Kennedy Center proposed by the Trump administration.
In negotiations between the DC Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 161-710, and the NSO Association, the new contract calls for a 9% wage increase for the musicians over the first three years of the contract; the fourth year is open to future negotiation, the WCR reports.
This follows the musicians’ previous 18-month labor contract that was sought after a short strike period, the orchestra’s first since 1978.
With their new agreement running through September 2, 2030, the NSO musicians will be compensated for the increased amount of local travel as the orchestra is splitting its 2026/27 season across multiple venues during the Kennedy Center’s planned closure.
The life of the contract also coincides with that of Music Director Gianandrea Noseda’s, which was recently extended to 2031, the orchestra’s centennial season.
NSO’s upcoming season will open on September 26, 2026, with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Carlos Simon’s Monuments — Suite for D.C., and Respighi’s La Boutique fantasque.
“This four-year agreement provides stability to the NSO musicians in a transitional moment,” says Ed Malaga, president of the DC Federation of Musicians.
“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,” adds longtime NSO violist Jennifer Mondie, and chair of the musicians’ bargaining committee.
This comes as the Kennedy Center board has voted, for the third time, to close the building for renovations. Previous attempts have been blocked by Judge Christopher R. Cooper in court, who called the original vote “ill-informed and seemingly preordained.” Trump has since posted on Truth Social, saying that either his name goes on the building, or the renovations will not be completed.
Now, a day after the board’s latest vote, Kennedy Center leadership has informed staff that the building will be closed for the next seven days, but due to safety concerns rather than pending court cases.
According to WUSA9, an email sent by Kennedy Center Executive Director and COO Matt Floca discussed the “life-safety risks presented by the building’s deteriorating infrastructure,” and the September 4 storm damage to the venue’s ceiling.
The New York Times adds that an emergency hearing has been requested to determine whether this sudden closure of the venue violates Judge Cooper’s previous court orders.
