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Chicago Sinfonietta musicians have a new one-year deal, but performances are still paused

suntimes.com · 2h · first reportShare

Amid a trying moment for the local orchestra, the Chicago Sinfonietta and the players’ union, the Chicago Federation of Musicians, have agreed to a new, one-year contract. But that contract, announced Thursday, arrives with only one performance on the horizon as the Sinfonietta has abruptly halted concerts and educational programming and laid off administrative staff. The nearly 40-year-old group is known for championing diverse musicians and composers . The players’ current three-year labor agreement was set to expire at the end of this month, and renewal was uncertain, given the Sinfonietta’s abrupt pause that started in the spring. Management calls it a “strategic renewal period” to focus on fundraising and sustainability planning. “The agreement continues the long-standing collaborative labor relationship between the [Chicago Federation of Musicians] and the Chicago Sinfonietta, ensuring that a collective bargaining framework remains in place as the organization works to strengthen