Summermusik and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Announce Four Year Collective Bargaining Agreement and Contract Extension for Music Director Eckart Preu

The landscape of the performing arts in Greater Cincinnati has reached a significant milestone with the formal ratification of a new four-year collective bargaining agreement between Summermusik and the musicians of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. Represented by the Cincinnati Musicians Association, American Federation of Musicians Local 1, the musicians have secured a contract that promises both financial growth and structural evolution for the ensemble. This agreement, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, arrives alongside the announcement that Music Director Eckart Preu has extended his tenure with the organization through the 2030 Summermusik Festival season. These dual developments signal a period of long-term stability and artistic ambition for the only professional chamber orchestra in the region.

The newly ratified collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a comprehensive document that addresses several facets of the professional lives of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra (CCO) musicians. Most notably, the contract includes a 15 percent increase in per-service compensation over the four-year term. This wage growth is a critical adjustment in the current economic climate, ensuring that the CCO remains a competitive employer for the high-caliber talent required to maintain its reputation. Furthermore, the agreement introduces a "principal overscale" into the payment structure for the first time in the organization’s history. This move acknowledges the additional leadership responsibilities and technical demands placed upon principal players, aligning the CCO’s compensation practices with industry standards found in larger metropolitan orchestras.

Beyond direct compensation, the agreement implements significant changes to the internal governance and operational logistics of the orchestra. New language has been codified regarding audition practices and the tenure process, aimed at increasing transparency and fairness in how new members are brought into the ensemble and how they achieve permanent status. The orchestra will also expand its roster through the creation of a second permanent section bass position, a move that provides greater depth to the string section and offers more consistent employment for regional double bassists.

Logistical support for musicians has also been enhanced through increased cartage payments. Cartage refers to the reimbursement provided to musicians who must transport large or heavy instruments—such as harps, double basses, or percussion equipment—to rehearsals and performances. By increasing these payments, the CCO acknowledges the rising costs of transport and the physical and financial burden placed on musicians who provide their own specialized equipment.

Evolution of the Summermusik Artistic Vision

The extension of Eckart Preu’s contract through 2030 provides the CCO with a decade and a half of continuous leadership from a single artistic voice. Preu, who joined the organization as Music Director in October 2016, has been instrumental in the transformation of the ensemble’s identity. Under his guidance, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra transitioned its primary season into the "Summermusik" festival format, a move that redefined how classical music is consumed in the Queen City during the late summer months.

Preu’s leadership has been characterized by what he describes as an "adventurous spirit." His programming often blends traditional chamber repertoire with contemporary works, frequently highlighting underrepresented composers and multidisciplinary collaborations. The contract extension ensures that this trajectory will continue, allowing Preu to plan long-term cycles of repertoire and community-focused projects. His stated goal of creating musical experiences that inspire both the audience and the performers remains the cornerstone of his vision for the 2030 horizon.

The CCO’s unique position as a chamber orchestra—typically consisting of 25 to 40 musicians—allows for a level of intimacy and flexibility that larger symphonic organizations often cannot replicate. This "chamber" approach is central to Preu’s strategy, focusing on clarity of sound and a more personal connection between the stage and the seats.

Strengthening Community and Educational Ties

A notable inclusion in the new CBA is the codification of a Teaching Artist Fee. This formalization of payment for educational work reflects a growing trend in the orchestral world where musicians are recognized not just as performers, but as vital educators within their communities. This fee is specifically aimed at strengthening the CCO’s ongoing partnerships with organizations such as MYCincinnati (Music for Youth in Cincinnati) and the Immanuel School of Music.

MYCincinnati, an El Sistema-inspired youth orchestra program based in Price Hill, provides free, high-quality music education to children in the area. By codifying a fee for CCO musicians to work with these students, the new agreement ensures that professional mentorship remains a sustainable part of the orchestra’s mission. Similarly, the partnership with the Immanuel School of Music allows CCO members to provide specialized instruction to a broader range of students, bridging the gap between professional performance and grassroots music education.

Furthermore, the agreement addresses the "Chamber Crawl" series, a popular component of the Summermusik festival that brings small ensembles into non-traditional venues like breweries, galleries, and community centers. The new contract provides higher compensation for the curators of these programs. This acknowledges the administrative and creative labor required to design programs that work in unconventional spaces, ensuring that the "Chamber Crawl" remains a vibrant and professionally managed part of the festival’s outreach.

Institutional Stability and the Role of AFM Local 1

The negotiations were conducted in a spirit of collaboration between the CCO management and the Cincinnati Musicians Association, AFM Local 1. The local union represents a wide array of professional musicians in the region, including members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera. Sujean Kim, a member of the Musicians Committee and the Assistant Concertmaster of the CCO, highlighted the multifaceted nature of the improvements, noting that the gains in working conditions and the tenure process are just as vital as the wage increases.

The four-year duration of the contract provides a predictable framework for the organization’s budgeting and fundraising efforts. In the non-profit arts sector, multi-year agreements are essential for securing grants and donations, as they demonstrate institutional health and labor peace. For the CCO, which relies on a mix of ticket sales, individual donations, and support from regional arts funding bodies like ArtsWave, this stability is a prerequisite for long-term growth.

Chronology of Recent Milestones

The path to this agreement began with the strategic shift in 2016 when Eckart Preu was appointed to succeed Mischa Santora. Over the following years, the CCO navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a temporary pivot to digital and outdoor programming. The resilience shown during this period solidified the bond between the musicians and the administration, setting the stage for the current round of successful negotiations.

• October 2016: Eckart Preu begins his tenure as Music Director.
• 2017–2019: Expansion of the Summermusik brand and the introduction of the "Chamber Crawl" series.
• 2020–2021: Adaptation to pandemic restrictions, maintaining musician employment through alternative performance models.
• 2023–2024: Negotiation period for the new CBA, focusing on post-inflation wage adjustments and modernization of tenure language.
• January 1, 2026: Effective start date of the newly ratified four-year CBA.
• 2030: Scheduled conclusion of Eckart Preu’s newly extended contract.

Broader Impact and Implications for the Cincinnati Arts Scene

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s new agreement is reflective of broader trends in the American orchestral landscape. As inflation has impacted the cost of living for professional artists, many ensembles across the United States have sought to adjust wages to prevent the loss of talent to other industries or more lucrative orchestral positions. The 15 percent increase over four years represents a proactive attempt to keep pace with these economic shifts.

Additionally, the focus on "working conditions" and "tenure processes" mirrors a national conversation regarding equity and transparency in the arts. By formalizing these processes, the CCO is positioning itself as a modern, forward-thinking employer that values the long-term career stability of its members.

The extension of Eckart Preu also ensures that Cincinnati remains a destination for innovative programming. In an era where many orchestras are struggling to find their "niche," the CCO has successfully carved out a space as an agile, adventurous alternative to the traditional symphony experience. The "Summermusik" festival has become a staple of the city’s cultural calendar, filling the gap between the end of the traditional concert season and the start of the fall arts cycle.

As the CCO moves toward the 2026 implementation of this contract, the organization appears to be on a firm footing. The combination of a committed music director, a formalized educational mission, and a satisfied musician workforce provides a blueprint for how mid-sized arts organizations can thrive in a changing cultural economy. The agreement underscores a mutual understanding that the excellence of the music on stage is inextricably linked to the well-being and professional respect afforded to the musicians who create it. With these foundational pieces in place, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and Summermusik are poised to continue their role as a vital contributor to the cultural life of Greater Cincinnati for the remainder of the decade and beyond.