The San Francisco Symphony has announced the arrival of six new musicians: Jason Issokson as Associate Concertmaster, Brooks Fisher on oboe, second violinists Jane (Hyeon Jin) Cho and Kingston Ho, cellist Sarah Chong, and first violinist Yvette Kraft. Their appointments help fill vacancies within the ensemble and bring fresh faces to Davies Symphony Hall at the start of the new season.
Their debut coincides with a period of heightened labor tension. On 4 September, the Musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, represented by the American Federation of Musicians Local 6, voted to authorize a strike. According to the musicians’ official statement, this authorization allows union leaders to initiate a labor action at any time if contract talks remain stalled.
Negotiations have been underway for nearly two years. The last long-term contract expired in November 2024, leaving musicians without an agreement for more than four months. The union says discussions have failed to produce a fair proposal, citing unresolved issues around compensation, artistic leadership, programming, and the financial health of the institution.
Violist Dave Gaudry, chair of the Musicians’ Negotiating Committee, explained: “It has become clear that we have no choice but to plan for a strike. The proposals presented to us are still far below the bare minimum of what an acceptable offer looks like.”
The tensions come less than six months after the high-profile departure of Esa-Pekka Salonen, who stepped down as Music Director citing irreconcilable disagreements with management and the board. His resignation, followed by the absence of an announced successor, has deepened concerns about the Symphony’s artistic direction and institutional stability.
Among the issues raised by the musicians are salaries that have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, despite reductions accepted during Covid-19 to support the organization. The press release also points to discrepancies in the Symphony’s financial reporting, with the union noting that endowment growth and other revenue sources contradict management’s claims of large deficits.
The musicians’ priorities include:
- Restoration of salaries promised in the 2018 contract, adjusted for inflation.
- Appointment of a music director with board support for their artistic vision.
- Reinstatement of programming and touring activities.
- Financial transparency and fundraising to ensure long-term sustainability.
If a strike is called, immediate consequences could affect the All San Francisco Concerts (11–13 September), the season-opening gala (12 September), and the regular season launch (18 September). The orchestra’s last strike occurred in 2013, while a previous one in 1997 lasted nine weeks.
The arrival of six new musicians signals renewal for the Symphony, but their first appearances may unfold under the shadow of a potential work stoppage and ongoing questions about the orchestra’s leadership.
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