Avoiding Injuries Through Protective CBAs

by Eric Beers, Contract Administrator, AFM Symphonic Services

As with most professions, those playing in an orchestra are subject to job related injuries. Musicians are well versed in the many preventative measures that can be taken to lessen their risk of injury, and there are now clinics and individuals that specialize in the treatment of performance injuries. However, there are also various ways to address this issue through collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).

Weekly Service Caps

A large majority of symphonic CBAs have some form of weekly service cap. The standard is eight services per week. Any weeks containing more than eight services should be balanced by weeks before and after with no more than seven services.

Free Days

The nature of the orchestra business means weekends are typically not free from work. The industry standard is only one free day per calendar week. However, what has also become standard is the recognition that programs performed during an orchestra's core season are technically more demanding and strenuous and therefore require more recuperative free time.

Many CBAs now require a set number of weeks during the Winter/Symphony Season with two consecutive free days. Restricting the number of consecutive days of work also helps alleviate overuse.

Relief Weeks/Services

It has become more common that in addition to vacation weeks, recovery time be afforded in the form of a relief period. In regional and smaller major orchestras this comes as services. For larger orchestras with more robust seasons, one week's relief is typical with just a handful providing more than a week. In order for relief weeks to be most effective, the days should be consecutive and the time determined by individual musicians and not dictated by management.

Also, don't forget to consider second wind players. With Principals & Assistant/Associate Principals splitting their workload, and auxiliary players primarily playing pieces for which their instrument is scored, second winds often end up working a good deal more than their section colleagues.

Noise Levels

High noise levels are also sometimes a concern, especially if you happen to be sitting in front of the anvil for Mahler's 6th Symphony.

The use of sound shields has become quite common and they are available in numerous shapes and sizes. In certain situations the degree to which the sound is deflected back can be a problem. In such a case, risers may be a viable alternative since they can lift an entire section and project their sound above the musicians in front of them. If all else fails, earplugs are an option, although their use makes blending and determining sound quality nearly impossible.