Minnesota Orchestra Cancels Concerts Through April 7

Four programs are cancelled and four are rescheduled as negotiations continue

The Minnesota Orchestral Association announced today that it has cancelled or rescheduled its concert performances through Sunday, April 7, 2013, due to the current labor dispute. All ticketholders of affected concerts are being contacted and offered a variety of options including the opportunity to exchange tickets for a future concert or receive a full refund. A complete list of impacted concerts is available on page 2.

In the ongoing contract talks with the Musicians’ Union, the Orchestra Board agreed on
January 2 to conduct the joint financial analysis musicians have sought in order to verify the organization’s financial position. Last week, the Board suggested that the terms of this analysis should focus on testing the accuracy of the organization’s Fiscal 2012 results and the forward-looking financial assumptions upon which the organization’s strategic plan is based. Discussions between the Board and Union are ongoing to agree to terms for the analysis.

“We very much hope that following the independent analysis the musicians will put forward a counterproposal, and we can begin the two-way negotiations that will lead to a settlement and the resumption of concerts,” said Minnesota Orchestra Board Chair Jon Campbell. “Realistically, we are all aware that it will take some time to complete this review, so we regrettably need to cancel further programs in consideration of the needs of our audiences, guest artists and partnering venues. If we are able to come to an agreement within a timeframe that allows us to reinstate some of these concerts, we will make every effort to do so.”

Contract talks between the Orchestral Association and its musicians, who are members of the Twin Cities Musicians’ Union (Local 30-73), began on April 12, 2012 and are currently overseen by a federal mediator. The Orchestral Association’s proposal offers a total package averaging $119,000 per musician, including an average salary of $89,000 with $30,000 in benefits per musician. The proposal also includes 10 weeks of paid vacation and up to 26 weeks of paid sick leave. In December, the Orchestral Association posted an operating deficit of $6 million for Fiscal 2012, the largest in its history.

Concert Detail:
All ticketholders to concerts through April 7 will be contacted directly by the Orchestra to outline ticketing options.

Cancelled Concerts:
• Beethoven’s Eroica, February 27 and 28, March 1 and 2
• The Gershwins’ Here to Stay, March 9 and 10
• Strauss: Four Last Songs, March 14-16
• Josefowicz Plays Stravinsky, March 21-23

Rescheduled Concerts (These programs will be presented during the 2013-14 season.)
• YP: Supersonic Sounds, March 7 and 8 | rescheduled to February 25 and 27, 2014
• Common Chords: Bemidji, April 1-6 | rescheduled to week of September 15, 2014
• Trey McIntyre/Preservation Hall, April 5| rescheduled date to be announced

Concert with a new presenter
• Max Raabe and Palast Orchester, April 7, 2013—This performance will now be presented by the Dakota at its own venue, the Dakota Bar and Grill, on the originally scheduled date. Current ticketholders will receive a full refund and will be notified directly with additional details on how to purchase tickets at the new presenting venue.

The Minnesota Orchestra Box Office will be directly in touch with concertgoers to share the following:

• Ticketholders may keep their tickets until a new contract is in place and performances resume. The Orchestra will bank the value of these tickets in the ticketholder’s account and keep in touch by mail. When a settlement is reached, the Orchestra will contact ticketholders to reactivate the value of their tickets for another concert this season.

• Ticketholders may exchange their cancelled tickets now to a future concert this season. All related fees will be waived.

• Ticketholders may apply the value of their unused tickets toward a gift certificate.

• Ticketholders may consider the full face value of their unused tickets a tax-deductible contribution to the Minnesota Orchestral Association.

• Ticketholders may request a refund for the full value of their tickets including related fees.

• For Rescheduled Concerts -- Ticketholders to rescheduled concerts may choose any of the above options, or they may attend the rescheduled concert presented as part of the Orchestra’s 2013-14 season. Patrons will be seated in the same price section and will not incur price increases or pay additional fees. This option will be honored through the date of the cancelled concert. Patrons with pending reschedule dates will be contacted when a new date is secured.

Minnesota Orchestral Association Ticket Services Representatives will be available to assist with cancelled/rescheduled ticket accommodations via phone at 612-371-5656. To save time, ticketholders are encouraged to conduct ticketing activity online at minnesotaorchestra.org/change.