After months of controversy, a donor has stepped into help the San Francisco Symphony and has finally reached an agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the SF Symphony Chorus.

Per the organization’s press release, the two-year agreement that maintains current compensation rates for 32 paid AGMA choristers during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons was facilitated by a $4 million gift to the San Francisco Symphony courtesy of “a devoted Symphony patron.” Two million dollars will be designated to the company’s annual fund, fully funding the cost of the chorus over the next two seasons, while the rest will go toward establishing a distinct endowment fund for the SF Symphony Chorus, which will provide around $100,000 in additional annual support each season.

“All of us at the San Francisco Symphony are deeply grateful to the donor for their remarkable generosity and belief in our mission to bring powerful musical experiences to our community,” said Matthew Spivey, SF Symphony Chief Executive Officer, per the release. “Their extraordinary gift enabled the Symphony to meet the terms of this agreement with AGMA, offering vital support for our choral programs over the next two seasons and establishing a dedicated endowment fund to ensure lasting support for the Chorus. Our artists, including the Chorus, are the lifeblood of our work and mission, and we are grateful that this gift allows us to continue delivering high-caliber performances to our audiences. We’re inspired by the donor’s generosity and hope it motivates others to contribute to the fund, helping sustain the Chorus for seasons to come.”

Negotiations had been tense over the past few months with AGMA recently calling out the San Francisco Symphony management for “misleading” patrons about negotiations. Before that performances of the Verdi Requiem had been canceled due to a strike from the chorus members of proposed cuts made by the administration. All of that came after Music Director Esa-Pekka announced his decision to conclude his tenure as Music Director following the culmination of his five-year contract in June 2025.