JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Musicians with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) are performing without a contract this season. Negotiations with MSO leadership are ongoing and have been since March.

The most recent offer included a one-year deal with no wage increase. Most players earn between $4,000 and $9,000 per year. Musicians said the offer doesn’t reflect the rising cost of living or the need to attract and retain talent.

“The wage is really not sustainable and attractive to fill those voids that we need. We have other positions that have been vacated, as well. We’ve lost clarinetists and percussionists and cellists in recent years,” said Elaine Maisel, president of the Jackson Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 579.

The situation is raising concerns about working conditions and the MSO.

“I want to play for 50 years. I’d love to be in this orchestra for 50 years, you know what I mean? But we’re concerned on if this organization will be able to sustain itself for that period of time given where we are, because these new musicians that we’re getting in and that are here, they’re auditioning as we speak,” said Lowell Hollinger, representative for the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association.

WJTV 12 News reached out to the MSO, and they released the following statement.

During this successful start to the season, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra continues working to finalize contract negotiations with the musicians who make our work possible.

MSO

As talks continue, musicians are asking for the community’s support. They said recognizing and appreciating the work of the artists on stage is one way to help strengthen Mississippi’s cultural future together.