ESO, musicians agree to two-year contract, helping secure fiscal sustainability while enhancing community engagement

ELGIN - The Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and its musicians have agreed on a mutually beneficial two-year contract that lays the groundwork for sustainability and growth for the award-winning symphony, now in its 73rd year. The agreement comes as the ESO enters its second season of new management, is actively auditioning music director candidates, and plans for greater engagement as audiences again choose to seek out live entertainment opportunities.

"These are challenging times so of course the negotiations were not easy. Happily, we were able to come to an agreement on a two-year contract that will give the new management an opportunity to solidify the orchestra's financials and at the same time develop new performance opportunities for our musicians," said Charles Schuchat, Chair, ESO Players Committee.

The Symphony's Chief Executive Officer, Marc Thayer, who took the helm of the ESO a year ago, believes the agreement is a key part of putting the ESO on solid financial footing and will offer more opportunities for the Symphony to reach new and current audiences in unique and more intimate settings in addition to the traditional concerts at The Hemmens Cultural Center.

"'We're very pleased to have reached a very reasonable agreement with our musicians about how best to proceed and plan for the next two years and beyond. Thanks to our creative musicians and staff we will be presenting some new and exciting initiatives in alternative venues while reaching a balanced budget, making the ESO self-sustainable for the foreseeable future," Thayer said.