TC Phil Musicians Vote to Unionize

The musicians of the Traverse City Philharmonic have voted "overwhelmingly" to unionize, according to a Tuesday announcement. They will join the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), becoming union members of the AFM Local 56.

The organizing effort "began when TC Phil violinist Kaylee Erlewein contacted AFM Local 56 in April 2026 regarding concerns about the orchestra’s operations," the release states. "Over the next four months, a musician-led organizing committee — supported by the AFM’s Organizing Department and Local 56 — conducted one-on-one conversations with their TC Phil colleagues to discuss these concerns and the possibility of union representation."

The campaign "included all of the TC Phil musicians based upon National Labor Relations Board criteria," the release continues. "By joining AFM Local 56, the TC Phil musicians gain collective representation to address the orchestra’s artistic and operational future."

Erlewein said in a statement that she was "so excited for the Traverse City Philharmonic to move forward as a part of AFM Local 56. The TC Phil has been my ‘home’ since age eleven, and it is one of the main reasons I became a professional violinist and teacher. However, in recent years, decisions by the TC Phil management, discussions with my colleagues, and years of service on the Players’ Committee led me to believe that the musicians needed a stronger voice. The necessary next step was to join with the American Federation of Musicians. We look forward to working with AFM Local 56 to make the orchestra stronger than ever, for many years to come."

AFM Local 56 President Bennie Keys said the group will next work with TC Phil musicians “on achieving their first collective bargaining agreement with the AFM." Correspondence has already occurred between AFM Local 56 and TC Phil leadership about that step. In a letter obtained by The Ticker, TC Phil Board President Sebastian Garbsch wrote to AFM counsel Rochelle Skolnick on August 5 in response to a letter about the musicians unionizing.

"In that regard, I want to confirm that we fully intend to honor the Symphony's contractual commitments with its individual musicians," including the terms of a master agreement approved in 2024, Garbsch wrote. "However, to the extent your letter indicates otherwise, I must confirm that the Symphony has never recognized any obligation to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment of any musician with the Players' Committee. Indeed, the Symphony does not 'employ' any musicians. Rather, the musicians contracting with the Symphony are 'independent contractors' who work under 'individual service ageements' negotiated with each individually."

Garbsch continued: "Nevertheless, to the extent the Players' Committee seeks to have you serve as its representative in any discussions with the Symphony related to those agreements or the terms of any future master agreement, the Symphony does not believe there is anything prohibiting them from doing so and looks forward to working with AFM Local 56 in that capacity."

In a statement to The Ticker, TC Phil Executive Director Dr. Kedrik Merwin said: "The TC Phil is happy to build upon our 74-year history of bringing outstanding symphonic music to our region. We are pleased to work together with the professional musicians that play with the TC Phil. Many of our musicians, as Kaylee mentioned, consider the TC Phil to be their musical ‘home’ and that shows in the extraordinary professional performances of the TC Phil. We look forward to continuing to work positively together with the Players’ Committee of the TC Phil, and their union representatives."