Musicians, Orchestra Reach Agreement

The Professional Musicians of Ventura County, Local 581 of the American Federation of Musicians, has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Conejo Valley Symphony Orchestra’s board of directors.

The agreement reached this week will formalize salary, benefits and working conditions for the orchestra’s union members.

This is the first time such an agreement has been reached between the musicians’ union and the Thousand Oaks-based orchestra and will include the establishment of a pension fund for the musicians.

With the new contract, the orchestra, under the direction of Howard Sonstengard, will begin its new season Oct. 4 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks.

Other performances will include “Sounds of Christmas” on Dec. 13 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza; a winter concert titled “The Masters” on Feb. 21; and “Music of the Midnight Sun” on April 18, both at the Ascension Lutheran Church.

For tickets, call the symphony office at 241-7270.