October 9, 2026

A Letter of Thanks to Oakland Symphony Musicians

Any season of music is possible only because many people come together. This year, no one has done more to make this season possible than the musicians of the Oakland Symphony.

As we confronted a serious financial shortfall, we asked our musicians to accept a one-time reduction in guaranteed services for the 2026-27 season. They agreed. This is a real monetary sacrifice. It means less work and less income than their contract had promised. Their decision allows Oakland Symphony to preserve the full breadth of the season we announced, while reshaping two concert sets in ways our current resources can sustain.

We reached this agreement through candid, respectful work with the Players Committee. Our musicians asked hard questions, held us accountable, and helped shape commitments to equity, transparency, and the temporary nature of these reductions. They approached this not only as individuals, but as members of an orchestra who care deeply about one another, this institution, and the community we serve together.

At a time of deep division, music gives us a place to gather and listen to one another. Yet the work of making it possible is increasingly difficult to sustain. Relationships between arts organizations and their musicians tend to make news only when they break down. This one deserves recognition for working.

An orchestra requires a creative workforce whose accumulated skill, knowledge, and imagination bring a shared mission to life. Our responsibility is not only to put musicians onstage, but to steward the conditions towards which they can build sustainable careers and do their best work. When musicians thrive, all those around them are more likely to thrive too: audiences, organizations, our local communities alike.

Reaching this agreement collaboratively does not minimize the sacrifice. For our musicians, a reduction in services is a reduction in their livelihood. Their agreement is an extraordinary act of unity and belief in the future of the Oakland Symphony. Because of their choice, Kedrick Armstrong’s bold Resist and Persist season can reach the stage. But we must not mistake sacrifice for sustainability.

Their willingness helps Oakland Symphony persist through a difficult year. Our responsibility is to build an organization in which persistence cannot depend on musicians repeatedly absorbing the financial risk. This concession is not a new normal. It gives us the time and the path to stabilize, to grow revenues, and to work toward restoring guaranteed services as soon as we can responsibly do so. We remain accountable to our musicians to succeed.

When you hear the Oakland Symphony this season, please remember what it took to bring that music to the stage. Each performance has been made possible not only by the generosity of donors and audiences, but also by the musicians themselves. Every subscription, ticket, donation, and invitation to a new listener helps strengthen the organization around them. Please join me in thanking our musicians and in standing behind the orchestra they have chosen to protect.

To our musicians: thank you for your artistry, your honesty, your solidarity, and the profound generosity of this decision. Oakland Symphony enters this season because you chose to move forward together. Your community will not forget it.

With deep gratitude,

Dr. Mieko Hatano
Chief Executive Officer
Oakland Symphony