The Bellevue Philharmonic board of directors has approved a 44 percent increase in the pay rate for its musicians. The increase takes effect at the opening night concert of the new season on Oct. 3.

The new pay rate will bring the BPO pay scale to a more comparable level with national peer orchestras and enable the organization to be more competitive in hiring talented musicians regionally, according to Jennifer McCausland, Bellevue Philharmonic CEO.

“Our musicians are lifelong music professionals who have long subsidized our orchestra because of their love of music,” McCausland said. “We applaud them — and now we must reward their commitment with one of our own.”

Dale Miller, president of the board, noted that the Philharmonic is growing in reputation and in the breadth of programming it offers.

“It is only fitting that we seek to compensate our musicians competitively with other professional music organizations and as befits the rapidly-expanding communities which we serve,” Miller said.

Miller added the pay boost has been “a long-term goal of our organization and we appreciate everyone in the community who is helping us to reach it one step at a time.”

In conjunction with the pay increase, the Bellevue Philharmonic is launching a campaign, “Music in a Higher Key,” which aims to raise $100,000 before the orchestra’s opening night presentation.

“Although these are fragile economic times, we are certain that our long-time supporters, new concertgoers and the Eastside community will endorse this long overdue recognition of our musicians,” McCausland said.

The Bellevue Philharmonic will launch its 2007-2008 season with a performance of the show-stopping Triple Concerto by Beethoven. The season features many new additions, including a recital series at the Bellevue Arts Museum and a Pops Series.