Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Euan Kerr
ST. PAUL, Minn.

SPCO cancels concerts; musicians break media blackout

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Dobson West
Dobson West, interim president of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, said management is still prepared to meet to negotiate with the locked-out musicians.
Photo courtesy SPCO

Management at the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on Thursday canceled all concerts through March 23.

Management says locked-out musicians have halted off-the-record negotiations. Musicians say they have decided to no longer honor a media blackout requested by a federal mediator. However a player representative says they say they are ready and willing to keep talking.

The parties had resumed talks, which have been under way since Jan. 2.

In a statement released late Thursday afternoon Interim SPCO President Dobson West said management is still prepared to meet, but needed to cancel the concerts so patrons, musicians and guest performers can make arrangements.

Negotiator for the musicians, Lynn Erickson said she was initially quite hopeful.

"We had some ideas that we exchanged back and forth, but like I said, the management has been really unwilling to compromise on several issues that are pretty important to the musicians and it's not really about the money," Erickson said.

• Follow Euan Kerr on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/euankerr

Gallery
1 of 1
Dobson West
Dobson West, interim president of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, said management is still prepared to meet to negotiate with the locked-out musicians.
Photo courtesy SPCO