News from Minnesota

The Minnesota Orchestra recently announced that it would be cancelling 21 more concerts through December 21st. This cancellation includes many holiday concerts, which account for roughly one fifth of the orchestra's annual ticket sales. Management claims that the ball is in the musicians' court and that they have failed to come up with a counter proposal. Meanwhile, the musicians claim that they have offered three counter proposals, all of which the management has refused. This standoff has continued amidst escalating rhetoric from both sides.

The musicians, however, have plans that do not include the Minnesota Orchestra's management at all. According to the Minnesota Public Radio News, the Minnesota Orchestra's musicians have planned two more concerts on there own. These concerts are to take place on December 15th and 16th at the Tedd Mann Concert Hall at the university of Minnesota. The program includes Beethoven's ninth symphony as well as the Bach double violin concerto.

The musicians have created their own Facebook page and their own website, and with negotiations at such an adamant standoff, one can only wonder what the future holds for this organization. If these lockout concerts continue to gain popularity, and the musicians' cause continues to gain support, then management will have to make the next move.