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HOUSTON (October 8, 2026) – The Houston Symphony and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 65-699, today announced an agreement on a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement runs through October 5, 2030.

"We’re proud to have reached an agreement through the collaborative spirit that has long characterized the Houston Symphony,” said Wei Jiang, Houston Symphony acting associate principal violist and Negotiating Committee Chair. “This contract represents a significant step forward for our organization, making meaningful investments in preserving our healthcare, addressing long-standing historical concerns, and strengthening the conditions that support both our artistic excellence and the health and wellbeing of our musicians. We are grateful to our Board and management team for working with us to ensure that our artistry is recognized and that we can continue to attract and retain the world’s finest musicians. We look forward to building on this progress together and creating an even stronger future for the Houston Symphony.”

Key terms in the new agreement include wage increases of 3%, 3%, 3.5% and 4.25% over the four year term; expansion of the orchestra complement to 95, including the addition of three string positions and two music librarians; allowances for savings in hiring practices in the first year of the agreement in exchange for attaining parity in compensation for substitute and extra musicians over the course of the agreement; provisions to support musician health and wellness including healthcare wellness incentives, new string relief time, reimbursement for custom hearing protection, and additional work rule changes; and updated audition, hiring and tenure review processes with an objective of greater fairness, consistency and transparency.

“This agreement is an example of the collaborative culture that is a hallmark of the Houston Symphony,” said Gary Ginstling, Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO, and holder of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. “It enables us to make meaningful progress on our musicians’ aspirations while also addressing key financial issues. Most importantly, this agreement is an investment in the artistic future of the Houston Symphony, one which we all agree has never been more exciting.”

“I am incredibly proud of how much we were able to accomplish in this agreement and the significant forward momentum it represents,” said Adam Dinitz, English horn of the Houston Symphony and Vice President, AFM Local 65-699. “These negotiations were marked by strong collaboration with our management as well as a shared commitment to the future of the Houston Symphony. This contract is an important investment in maintaining the exceptional caliber of musicians that our orchestra—and the city of Houston—deserves.”

“This agreement is a testament to the strong and trusting relationship among everyone who cares deeply about the Houston Symphony,” said Barbara McCelvey, President of the Houston Symphony Board of Trustees. “The Board is proud to support an agreement that strengthens the foundation on which the Symphony can continue to grow and serve Houston for years to come. We are fortunate to have such talented musicians and dedicated staff working together to carry this great institution into its next chapter.”

In addition to Ginstling, the Houston Symphony negotiating team included Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Condic, Chief Operating Officer Vicky Dominguez, Director of Orchestra Personnel Brian Miller, Associate Director of Orchestra Personnel Becky Brown, and former Director of Orchestra Personnel Mike Gorman. In addition to Jiang, the Houston Symphony musicians were represented by John Parker, Amy Semes, Andrew Pedersen, and Ian Mayton.