According to the Contra Costa Times, those improvements include an increase in base salary from $105 to $108 per rehearsal or concert.

"The negotiations were conducted through an extremely collegial and collaborative process," said executive director Stacey Street.

Founded in 1986 by music director Barry Jekowsky, the California Symphony emphasizes new and American music. Its composer-in-residence program, created in 1991, allows a young composer to rehearse, revise, and perform a series of new works over three years; participants have included Pierre Jalbert and Chris Theofanidis.

The orchestra's current season includes the world premiere of a Guitar Concerto by Jon Anderson, a member of the rock group Yes.