Columbus Symphony, musicians reach pact

Columbus Symphony, musicians reach pact

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and its musicians agreed to a new contract Monday that will get the 57-year-old symphony back to performing at the Ohio Theatre.

In a joint statement, the orchestra board and the union representing its 53 full-time musicians said the three-year contract cuts wages and benefits by about $1.3 million per year. The contract also shortens the season from 46 weeks to 31 in the first year and 38 weeks thereafter.

The board suspended operations June 1, citing a projected $3 million budget shortfall, and the future of the orchestra had been in doubt as the sides clashed over the contract and what direction to take the organization. The board canceled the popular summer pops series and at least 10 fall classical concert performances through December.

The contract, which expires Aug. 31, 2011, decreases base salary from about $55,000 to $42,000 in the first year, with base salary at $43,000 in the second year and $45,000 in the third. Maximum salaries drop from about $64,000 to $49,000 in the first year, and will move to $51,000 and $53,000 in the second and third years, respectively. The agreement also limits the board’s pension contribution health insurance plan.

More gay characters on TV

NEW YORK — Broadcast television will have 16 gay and bisexual regular characters in prime-time series this fall, more than double the seven of a year ago, a study has found.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it was a positive sign of networks making their shows more representative, although more work needed to be done. These characters accounted for 2.6 percent of all the regular characters in TV series, up from 1.1 percent last year and 1.3 percent in 2006, according to the study, released Monday.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Sheila MacRae is 84. Singer Sonny Turner of The Platters is 69. Actor Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: Legendary Journeys”) is 50. Actress-writer Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) is 46. Actor Kyle Sullivan (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 20.