Minnesota Orchestra agreement brings relief to students and teachers

The past 15 months have been long and frustrating for the members of the Minnesota Orchestra and their fans. On Jan. 14, it was announced that the group had reached an agreement and created a new contract for the musicians. It may not have been everything they wanted, but it was a compromise.

Before the lockout, the Minnesota Orchestra was ranked in the top 10 orchestras in the entire country. They recently won a Grammy award for their recording of their Sibelius symphonies.

The orchestra has been greatly missed by the students; faithful attendees still found their way to concerts even during the strike.

“At their lockout concerts they would have several standing ovations that lasted for several minutes.” said senior Nic Mathisen, a bassist in Concert Orchestra.

The good news came as a surprise to many. It was a relief felt mutually all around the Cities. The Minnesota Orchestra would finally be back home.

“I was so pumped,” said junior Megan Ellison, a violist in Concert Orchestra. “Pro athletes are paid so much, pro musicians also should have that benefit. I’m so happy.”

The talent of the orchestra did take a hit with the lockout. They lost a quarter of their musicians to other orchestras around the world.

“They were considered top 10 in the world,” said orchestra teacher Jerry Jones. “They were a pretty magnificent orchestra. How long it’s going to take for them to get back up there is anyone’s guess.”

Some held on tight to their home in Minnesota, it would take more than a lockout to lose them.

“It has been important to support our heroes,” said Mathisen. “My teacher is in the orchestra and I was worried that he was going to move to another orchestra during the lockout.”

Students are thrilled to get back into Orchestra Hall to see their local orchestra play. Feb. 7 is the orchestra’s first concert back in their auditorium since the lockout.

“It’s an awesome experience,” said Ellison. “It really encourages me to continue playing viola.”

This community is very blessed to have such an orchestra available to us. The talent in this area is remarkable.

“It is one of the crowned jewels of the Twin Cities,” said Jones. “A criteria that urban areas are judged on is arts, particularly orchestral music. It is rare to have a world class orchestra in the community.”

The 2014 schedule has been made for the orchestra. They are certainly an experience and everyone should attend a Minnesota Orchestra concert in their lifetime. They are an inspiring and resilient group of musicians and it is clearly displayed in their music.