News and Media
March 8, 2023
Musicians and Philharmonic Reach Contract Agreement; Concerts Return on March 24
Fort Wayne Philharmonic concerts will resume following the tentative agreement today of a new contract between Fort Wayne Musicians Association (AFM Local 58) and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. The new agreement expires in August of 2026.
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February 14, 2023
Philharmonic Concerts Canceled Through April 11 Following no Agreement
At the end of the session on February 5 with the Musicians, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association did not reach an agreement on a new contract. Without a contract with the Musicians, The Philharmonic must cancel all scheduled concerts and community events through April 11.
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February 11, 2023
Philharmonic Committed to Long-term Investment in the Arts and Our Community
The Philharmonic’s Board of Directors wholeheartedly agrees with Fort Wayne community members who are calling (in their letter published Feb. 4 in the Journal Gazette) for an immediate resolution to the ongoing Musicians strike. As they stated, it is time to return music to the Philharmonic stage.
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January 11, 2023
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Cancels Concerts and Events Through February After Musicians Reject Proposed Contract Agreement
Despite requesting a deadline extension to consider the Philharmonic’s best and final offer for a new contract the Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association voted tonight to reject the offer that includes a wage increase of 45.8% over the next four years. Without a contract with the Musicians, the Philharmonic must cancel all scheduled concerts and community events through February.
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January 11, 2023
Philharmonic Grants Union’s Request to Extend Deadline for Response to Best and Final Offer
After a lengthy bargaining session on Tuesday, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic agreed to grant the Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association union representatives an extension beyond the 11 p.m. deadline for accepting or rejecting the Philharmonic’s best and final offer for a new 4-year contract.
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January 9, 2023
Philharmonic Remains Committed to Students and Families of After-School Club O Program
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic will continue its commitment to the students who participate the Club O Program.
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January 7, 2023
Philharmonic Provides Union Final Offer
Committed to bringing the strike to an end so that music can return to its stage, Philharmonic management increased the wage offer to 45.8%. The Philharmonic also proposed maintaining one musician seat that was on the schedule to phase out through attrition.
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January 5, 2023
With Looming Deadline, Philharmonic Prepares to Cancel January 28 Concert if no Deal is Reached
During today’s session the Musicians presented the Philharmonic with another offer which repackaged the prior day’s proposal and included less than .2% change in the overall financial impact. The Philharmonic once again bargained against themselves raising their offer to 43.3% over four years. The union failed to offer a response to the Philharmonic’s most recent proposal before departing negotiations at 2 p.m., a change from the anticipated end time of 6 p.m. that was agreed to by both groups.
January 4, 2023
Philharmonic Files Regressive Bargaining Charges Against Union
The lack of progress towards a fair contract made over the last four negotiation sessions has prompted the Philharmonic to file charges of regressive bargaining against the union with the National Labor Relations Board.
December 29, 2022
Negotiations Ended Without Agreement: Union Offers No Proposal
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association ended another bargaining session today without reaching an agreement.
December 27, 2022
Bargaining Results in No Agreement Between Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association had a bargaining session Decmeber 27 that ended without an agreement.
December 8, 2022
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC DISAPPOINTED IN MUSICIANS' UNION STRIKE
Union insists on 46 percent wage increase, Philharmonic has offered 11.5 percent wage increase
Today’s announcement of a musicians’ union strike is disappointing to The Fort Wayne Philharmonic, its patrons and public that looks forward to the traditional, must enjoyed holiday concerts. The Philharmonic’s leadership learned about the pending strike from media that were informed about the intention to strike by union representatives earlier in the day.
November 11, 2022
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC RESUMES PARTNERSHIP WITH FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Educational ensemble to perform in all 30 elementary schools
Today, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic announced that its educational ensemble musicians will return to FWCS elementary schools this school year.
Fort Wayne Community Schools and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic have a long-standing partnership, spanning decades. Discussions between FWCS administration and Fort Wayne Philharmonic leadership took place during the summer to address post-pandemic shifts and how to reignite the Philharmonic presence in the school district.
February 10, 2022
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC PARTICIPATES IN CARNEGIE HALL’S LINK UP PROGRAM, “THE ORCHESTRA SINGS”
Link Up Program Participants will present a Live Concert, with teachers and students nationwide for the 2021-2022 season
In collaboration with Carnegie Hall the Fort Wayne Philharmonic is participating in Link Up “The Orchestra Sings,” a music education program provided by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI), during the 2021-2022 season. The nearly 2,000 students in northeast Indiana participating in the Link Up curriculum will attend a culminating concert on Feb. 16 and 17, 2022, at the Embassy Theatre conducted by Music Director Andrew Constantine. Students will sing and respond to the orchestra from their seats. This experience often serves as a students’ first concert and provides them with the opportunity to apply the musical concepts they have studied.
February 7, 2022
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC ANNOUNCES 2022-2023 SEASON
SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS ON SALE FEBRUARY 9
Today, Music Director Andrew Constantine and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic announced the concert line-up for the 2022-23 season. The season will consist of Masterworks and Pops Series concerts available for purchase as part of a subscription package. Other concerts will include a new Matinee Series and a reinvigorated Freimann Series that will feature women composers. Additional concerts for the Family Series and other special events will be announced later. Subscription packages will be available for purchase online at fwphil.org on Feb. 9, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
December 22, 2021
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Board of Directors Names
Brittany A. Hall as New President and CEO
First Woman to Lead Will Assume New Role January 3, 2022
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Board of Directors voted today to appoint Brittany A. Hall as the Philharmonic’s new President and CEO.
Rising from Assistant Managing Director, Hall will become the first woman in Philharmonic’s history to serve in that role. She will begin her responsibilities on Jan. 3, 2022. The appointment follows last month’s announcement that Managing Director James W. Palermo is leaving his post to lead a new, local nonprofit. (updated 2-3-22)
December 20, 2021
Holiday Pops at Trine University Concert Cancellation
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic has made the difficult decision to announce the cancellation of the Holiday Pops concert at Trine University on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, due to the lack of space to allow for safe distancing of our musicians on stage. The safety of the musicians, staff, and audience was the utmost concern for making this decision.
November 19, 2021
James W. Palermo to Leave Post as Fort Wayne Philharmonic Managing Director
to Lead New, Local Nonprofit as Founding Executive Director
Board begins search for new leader for Jan. 2022, transition
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic today announced that James W. Palermo will leave his post as the orchestra’s managing director, effective January 2, 2022. The Board will immediately commence planning to name a successor.
August 30, 2021
Caleb Young Takes New Title - Guest Conductor for Engagement
For the Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s 2021-2022 Season
Based on his extraordinary ability to connect with audiences and impart the thrill of classical music in an affable and approachable manner, Caleb Young, currently Associate Conductor of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, will take a new title for the 2021-2022 Season, Guest Conductor for Engagement. The new title, created especially for Young, will allow the young conductor to focus his strengths to the benefit of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Northeast Indiana while expanding his international career.
August 24, 2021
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestras and Club Orchestra Programs Launch 2021-2022 Season
Serving Hundreds of Young People | Youth Symphony Orchestra Reschedules Debut at Carnegie Hall
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic today announced details of the 2021-2022 Season of its flagship education and engagement programs for young people, including the Youth Symphony Orchestra’s (YSO) rescheduled debut appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
August 4, 2021
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC ANNOUNCES REMAINDER OF 2021-2022 SEASON
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 20, 2021
Music Director Andrew Constantine and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic today announced the remainder of the Orchestra’s much-anticipated return to the stage for its 2021-2022 Season, marking 78 years serving audiences in Fort Wayne and all of Northeast Indiana. Additional concerts include the Family and Freimann Series, Holiday Specials, performances with Fort Wayne Ballet, and a new Sensory Friendly concert. Season Subscriptions are on sale now and individual tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 at noon.
July 12, 2021
FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC
ANNOUNCES 2021-2022 SEASON
Music Director Andrew Constantine and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic today announced the Orchestra’s much-anticipated return to the stage for its 2021-2022 Season, marking 78 years serving everyone in Fort Wayne and all of Northeast Indiana.
June 30, 2021
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Offers Free Ensemble Concerts
Throughout Northeast Indiana
Beginning on July 8 and continuing throughout the remainder of the summer, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will offer a wide variety of free small ensemble, community, and engagement concerts across the region. Various string, brass, and woodwind ensembles will canvas much of Northeast Indiana performing concerts in care facilities through a partnership with Audiences Unlimited, in a new series called PNC Pop Ups at the James Cultural Plaza in Auburn, through Live at Lunch performances at Sweetwater, and in a new series called Coffee with the Phil in the Clubroom at the Clyde Theatre. All concerts are free and designed to fill the region with music as the Philharmonic reconnects with local audiences through its extended summer season.
June 24, 2021
Philharmonic Offers Free Concert at Foellinger Theatre
Music from the Movies on July 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Associate Conductor Caleb Young on the Podium
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic will offer a free community concert at Foellinger Theatre on July 17 at 7:30 p.m. Northeast Indiana’s premier orchestra continues its return to live concerts with an evening of treasured movie music hits.
June 16, 2021
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Returns with “Steel Dynamics Patriotic Pops” Series
June 25 – July 4, 2021 in Regional Venues
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic today announced details of its “Steel Dynamics Patriotic Pops Series,” in family-friendly outdoor venues throughout Northeast Indiana, from June 25 through July 4, 2021, as part of region-wide local celebrations of the American spirit.
June 14, 2021
The Music of Queen with Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Sweetwater Performance Pavilion July 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Summer Celebration continues with The Music of Queen, the Philharmonic’s first-ever concert at Sweetwater Performance Pavilion on Sunday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are priced at $25 and will be on sale through the Sweetwater Performance Pavilion box office online at sweetwaterpavilion.com or in person at Sweetwater.
June 7, 2021
Philharmonic Back with Patriotic Pops at Parkview Field
Free Ticket Reservations Available Beginning Wednesday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m.
Music Director Andrew Constantine to Conduct
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic welcomes the community back to live symphonic music at a concert celebration of the American spirit. Patriotic Pops at Parkview Field will take place on Saturday, June 26 at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks accompanying the finale. Free ticket reservations will be available through the Parkview Field Box Office in person or online here beginning on June 9 at 10:00 a.m.
May 24, 2021
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Board of Directors Announces Agreement with Musicians of Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association and American Federation of Musicians
Patriotic Pops will Kick off Summer Season
Music of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will return to the stage this summer and next season following ratification on Sunday night of a new contract agreement between the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association.