Stilian Kirov
(c) Chuck Moss
The Illinois Philharmonic has reached long-term agreements with both Music Director Stilian Kirov and the IPO musicians. Bulgarian conductor Stilian Kirov, 38, has agreed to a 4- year contract extension through the 2026-2027 season, bringing his total time with IPO at that point to ten years. This new contract marks the second time IPO has renewed Kirov.
Stilian Kirov is also Music Director of Symphony in C in New Jersey, and the Bakersfield Symphony in California.
Along with signing Kirov to a long-term deal, IPO and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians’ Committee have come together on a new 3-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for the musicians that extends through the 2024-2025 season. Highlights of the new CBA include a 12.5% increase in base pay rates across the term, increased collaboration between musicians and management to expand the variety and availability of small ensemble concerts, adopted changes to recruitment, audition, and retention procedures to address equity and inclusion at IPO.
