On its surface, classical music is often seen as a pastime of the wealthy and cultured, and the very existence of symphony orchestras strikes some as elitist. However this perspective obscures an important truth about musicians in symphony orchestras: they are just as much members of the working class as Teamsters and teachers, and are equally entitled to a dignified life.

In Baltimore, that way of life for the members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is under direct threat from a management that puts more value on the money in the Orchestra’s endowment than the quality of life of its players. On Monday June 17, the musicians of the BSO were put on lockout in an attempt to bully them into signing a contract that would cut salaries by 20 percent. That’s especially bad considering that the salaries from the BSO’s recently expired contract had musicians making less than they were ten years ago, when adjusted for inflation and cost of living.

Not only did the board vote unanimously and abruptly to cut the orchestra’s summer season, the decision and the resulting lockout leaves musicians without pay and health insurance until the start of the 2019–2020 season in September. Members of the orchestra have expressed deep fear about the loss of health care and salary jeopardizing their ability to pay their rents, mortgages, and bills.