The San Francisco Symphony has reached a tentative two-year agreement with its 32-member professional chorus, bolstered by a transformative $4 million anonymous donation.
This milestone, pending ratification by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), ensures the continuation of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus through the 2026 season and highlights the vital role of philanthropy in sustaining the arts.
The agreement maintains current compensation rates for chorus members at $22,053 for up to 26 performances and 53 rehearsals per season, while preserving additional allowances for meals, clothing and parking. The $4 million gift is strategically allocated, with half directly funding chorus operations over the next two seasons. The remaining
$2 million establishes the San Francisco Symphony Chorus Endowment Fund, designed to generate approximately $100,000 annually for ongoing support.
Matthew Spivey, San Francisco Symphony Chief Executive Officer, expressed gratitude for the donor’s “remarkable generosity and belief in our mission,” adding, “This gift not only supports our chorus for the immediate future but also establishes a foundation for its long-term sustainability.”
“All of us at the San Francisco Symphony are deeply grateful to the donor for their remarkable generosity and belief in our mission,” said Matthew Spivey, SF Symphony Chief Executive Officer.
