ROPA Regional Orchestra Players' Association

03/16/2026

ROPA pays tribute to the remarkable career of Maestro Willie Anthony Waters, whose trailblazing achievements have left an indelible mark on the world of opera. Maestro Waters was the first African American to serve as artistic director for a major opera company and achieved significant success on international stages.

Maestro Waters made his conducting debut with the Utah Symphony in 1979. He then served as principal conductor for the Florida Grand Opera, and broke new ground as the first Black conductor to become general and artistic director of a major opera company, the Connecticut Opera, a role he held from 1999 to 2009. His repertoire was extensive, and his conducting career spanned both the United States and Europe. In addition, Maestro Waters contributed greatly as musical director for the Martina Arroyo Foundation and The Prelude to Performance Summer Opera Training Institute.
Throughout his life and career, Maestro Waters touched the lives of many artists.

His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, living on through those he mentored and influenced. We extend our heartfelt thoughts to his family and wish them peace and comfort during this time.

02/25/2026

From AFM Local 427-721 Florida Gulf Coast Musicians:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Federation of Musicians Florida Gulf Coast, Local 427-721, AFL-CIO
Fort Myers, Florida

Court Upholds NLRB Ruling Protecting Musicians’ Bargaining Rights

Fort Myers, FL — The American Federation of Musicians, Local 427-721, AFL-CIO, applauds the recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirming the National Labor Relations Board’s ruling that Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Association, Inc. unlawfully declared impasse and imposed contract terms on union musicians before negotiations had truly reached a deadlock.

This ruling confirms an important principle: employers cannot walk away from meaningful negotiations simply by declaring talks “over” when progress remains possible. The court agreed with the NLRB that bargaining was still active and productive, and that the musicians’ union was prepared to continue negotiations in good faith.

“This decision vindicates what our musicians have said all along - that we were bargaining in good faith and deserved a fair process at the table,” said Richard Sparrow, Secretary/Treasurer of AFM Local 427-721. “The ruling reinforces the fundamental right of working musicians to negotiate their wages and working conditions without unilateral action by their management.”

The court’s decision affirms that unilateral changes to wages and working conditions are unlawful when negotiations have not reached a genuine impasse.

AFM Local 427-721 remains committed to defending the rights and dignity of professional musicians in Southwest Florida and beyond. We will continue to advocate for fair treatment, transparent negotiations, and respect for the collective bargaining process.

Contact:
American Federation of Musicians Florida Gulf Coast, Local 427-721, AFL-CIO
Richard Sparrow
(727) 572-7977
[email protected]
About AFM Local 427-721

The American Federation of Musicians, Local 427-721, AFL-CIO, represents professional musicians in Southwest Florida, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for the rights of all musicians through collective bargaining and community engagement.

01/30/2026

Know Your Bow: in this free 90-minute webinar featuring speakers from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, musical instrument owners, dealers, and makers can learn about the new rules and steps for legal compliance, and hear from music sector leaders about actions to identify the wood material in bows and support a sustainable future for the species.
Register at: https://americanorchestras.org/event/know-your-bow-new-rules-and-essential-steps-for-pernambuco-sustainability/

This webinar is presented by the League of American Orchestras in partnership with the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers, International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species, NAMM - the National Association of Music Merchants, National Association for Music Education, and Performing Arts Managers and Agents Coalition.

01/07/2026

Our amazing ROPA Executive Board just wrapped up their 2026 Mid Year Meeting in Chicago! ❄️

They discussed about the 2026 Conference, committee reports, orchestras facing difficulties, updates from the Symphonic Service Division, and plenty more!

Thank you ROPA EB for your hard work and we look forward to seeing you all at the 2026 ROPA Conference in Dallas this summer! 🤠

10/09/2025

The Eastern Music Festival will be dissolved as an organization. But supporters say there’s a new path forward for the Greensboro tradition.

09/17/2025

stands in solidarity for our colleagues at Musicians of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Musicians' Association - CFM Local 145✊

“Musicians of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) vote 97% in favour of a strike

(VANCOUVER, B.C.) – The Vancouver Musicians’ Association (VMA), Local 145 of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, announced today that the musicians of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) have voted over 97% in favour of authorizing a strike against their employer, the Vancouver Symphony Society (VSS). The vote allows players to walk out with 72 hours’ notice if talks with Symphony management fail to produce a deal. The 2025-26 season began on September 12, 2025.

The VMA, along with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Association Negotiating Committee, have been in negotiations with the VSS for a new Collective Agreement since April 2025. The current agreement between the parties expired on July 1, 2025.”

08/26/2025

08/21/2025

ROPA at the Theatre Musicians Association - TMA Conference in Cleveland, OH!

TMA President Heather Boehm presented awards honoring AFM George Fiddler and David Schoenbrun. Schoenbrun is the former President of AFM Local 6, a founding member of the Theater Musicians Association, and a former ROPA Delegate.

🌟FUN FACT🌟 Did you know TMA will be tagging their conference along with us next year? 😄 We can’t wait to see them and cross paths! 🤝

08/20/2025

ROPA and ICSOM leadership participated at a rally today outside of the Cleveland Club where Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno (R) was speaking 🪧

08/15/2025

Just a small glimpse of our incredible 2025 ROPA Conference in Philly!

A huge thank you again to American Federation of Musicians Local 77 for hosting and our board members for making another successful conference!