Opera Colorado and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) have announced their first-ever collective bargaining agreement. The parties reached an agreement on June 18, and it was ratified by AGMA’s Board of Governors on July 13. In a statement, Barbara Lynne Jamison, the Ellie Caulkins Artistic Director and CEO of Opera Colorado said, “This agreement begins an important new {…}
AGMA has released a statement regarding the Washington National Opera’s decision to leave the Kennedy Center. The union said “AGMA is aware that the Washington National Opera Board has voted to sever its affiliation with the Kennedy Center. We will follow developments as more information becomes available, with our focus on supporting AGMA Artists at WNO. AGMA will consider the {…}
Following the illegal renaming of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO (AGMA) and the Kennedy Center Arts Workers United have released statements. In the first statement by AGMA said, “We all heard that Trump wants to rename the Kennedy Center. Established by Congress in federal law, the Kennedy Center {…}
(Photo credit: Karen Almond) The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has announced that Sandra Oh is serving as the Honorary Chair of the 2025 AGMA Relief Fund Holiday Drive. Earlier this year, Oh made debut at the Metropolitan Opera, in “La Fille du Régiment.” She took on the role Duchess of Krakenthorp in Laurent Pelly’s production. Oh performed alongside {…}
San Francisco Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) have announced a two-year agreement. The new agreement was ratified on August 25, 2025 and is retroactively effective from March 1, 2025 and runs through Feb. 28, 2027. It includes pay increases, equitable pay adjustments, enhanced work-life protections, new benefits, and improvements to scheduling and the audition process. “This {…}
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has come to a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with Music Sacra. The agreement, which includes a 10 percent wage increase throughout the contract’s duration, goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2025 and runs through August 31, 2028. There will also be strengthened hiring practices through the creation of a Season Chorus List {…}
After months of lobbying, the Metropolitan Opera has received $5 million in one-time operating support from the State of New York. According to a press release by AGMA members who work at the Metropolitan Opera, with the support of AGMA staff, they helped deliver the win, not just for the Met but for the future of opera in New York. {…}
(source: San Francisco Symphony Official Website) The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is speaking out against the San Francisco Symphony’s management for misleading patrons about the negotiations with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Per a press release, AGMA claims that it offered a one-time reduction in compensation back in September to settle the dispute and did all it could {…}
(Photo credit: Anastasia Sistevaris) Unable to perform this past year due to a chronic illness that directly affects her vocal mechanism, mezzo-soprano Molly Noori has turned towards advocating for other singers in a similar position. Through her new non-profit, The Chronicled Voice, Molly has created a safe space for opera singers to talk openly about their frustrations, fears, and ideas {…}
The AGMA Board of Governors has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz for President and Vice President of the United States in the 2024 election. The Musical Union for Artists said, “Together, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are THE choice for people who treasure the Arts and artists and believe in workers’ rights and the value {…}
The American Guild of Musical Artists and Central City Opera have reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, beginning May 19, 2023. The new agreement will run through Sept. 1, 2027 and the AGMA Board of Governors, acting through its Executive Council, will ratify the agreement on May 22, 2023. In a statement, Sam Wheeler, National Executive Director of AGMA {…}