Orchestra lockouts discourage U of M student musicians

The orchestra lockouts in the Twin Cities are apparently being felt outside of the membership of the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Daily reported.

University of Minnesota doctoral candidate in orchestral conducting Erik Rohde said that orchestral students "don't have a model right now" because of the lockouts.

The Minnesota Orchestra’s musicians have been locked out since Sept. 30, and musicians with SPCO who have been locked out since Oct. 22.

According to the Daily, members of the Minnesota Orchestra would often lead small-group University Symphony Orchestra rehearsals, and on occasion the groups would rehearse together.

Conducting students also benefited from interacting with conductors from both the Minnesota Orchestra and the SPCO.

Despite the lockouts, both orchestras will play dates in December.

The Minnesota Orchestra will play Dec. 15 and 16 under the director of Edo de Waart, who was the orchestra's conductor from 1986 to 1995.

Meanwhile, the SPCO will welcome back world renown violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman for a fundraiser Dec. 2.

Zukerman led the SPCO from 1980 to 1987.