Link to letter in an online format (Larger Print)

We congratulate Burt Hara, one of the great orchestral clarinetists of our time, as he prepares to accept the position of Associate Principal Clarinet in the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In his 25 years as Principal Clarinet, Burt has been one of the shining stars of the Minnesota Orchestra. Last week in St. Paul, a packed house thrilled to his peerless performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto. More than a musician, his influence has been felt throughout the Twin Cities as a devoted teacher, generous donor, and community leader. Words cannot convey how much we will miss our beloved colleague and friend. He is truly irreplaceable.

After eight months of denying musicians’ requests for a meeting, today the entire board finally engaged with the Musicians. Challenges can only be overcome by rebuilding trust and having a dialogue about what it takes to maintain a world-class Orchestra in a world-class arts community. As soon as management ends the lockout, we, the Musicians, will know that management is serious about maintaining a “world-class” Orchestra to open a renovated Orchestra Hall.

Dear Mr. Henson,

As the Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra enter our seventh month of being locked out of our jobs without salary or benefits, we wanted to remind you, as well as the public, our audience, and MinnPost readers, of some facts regarding our “negotiations”.

Read full letter here: Dear Mr. Henson: Your lockout is the ‘barrier to negotiations’  MinnPost By Tim Zavadil, Doug Wright, Burt Hara, Tony Ross and Cathy Schubilske |

Saturday, March 23
Family-friendly performances at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra will present two family-friendly performances on Saturday, March 23 in the Sanctuary of Wayzata Community Church. Enjoy a lively afternoon with selections of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bizet! Between performances, meet the musicians at a reception. These concerts are free.

Wayzata Community Church
125 Wayzata Boulevard East 
Wayzata, MN 55391
Phone: (952) 473-8877

The Management of the Minnesota Orchestra recently rejected an offer from the Musicians that simultaneously would have ended the lockout and started the joint-independent financial analysis first requested by Musicians last August. The proposal would have returned the Musicians to the stage, enabling the organization to maximize revenue for the remainder of the current season. Instead, Management chose to reject the proposal outright, violating the terms of the “fresh start” by publicizing their response in a press release, and canceling concerts through April 6th, essentially eliminating the entire season.

Before Mayor RT Rybak and Judy Dayton’s February 1st Grammy celebration concert, the Musicians proposed the following:

- Terms for the joint independant financial analysis

- A new joint fundraising campaign to fund any financial challenges of the Orchestra

- Donation of all proceeds from the Feb.1 concert to the endowment

- A return to the stage to maximize revenue to the Orchestra during the current season.

Instead of negotiating the terms of a return to the stage for the Musicians, Management rejected the offer, essentially turning the “fresh start” into a “false start.” Management chose not attend the Grammy Celebration concert with the Musicians and Osmo Vänskä at the invitation of Mayor RT Rybak and Judy Dayton.

The Musicians have previously made three offers to the Management, since last August. They have included:

- A joint independant financial analysis

- An offer to “Play and talk” while negotiating in good faith, thus continuing to generate revenue for the Orchestral Association and agreeing not to strike.

- Binding arbitration to determine a new contract

The Minnesota Legislature continues to examine the actions of the Minnesota Orchestra, including two hearings calling CEO Michael Henson to testify regarding the lockout and most recently the use of Legacy funds.

Last weekend’s performance was a fabulous tribute to the power of a great partnership. Please enjoy this video posted by Matt Peiken of MNuet.com.

Our deepest thanks to Mayor R.T. Rybak, Judy Dayton, Osmo Vanska, and all who joined us for our Grammy Celebration Concert. It was an extraordinary night and a joy to be together again. Thank you for celebrating the power of great music with us.

We were happy to be reunited this week in rehearsal for
the Mayor’s Grammy Celebration Concert tonight.
The Musicians are very excited to be playing Sibelius for you!

LoMoMOpalooza
entered by Nikki Bodurtha from Minneapolis.

The beer will make it’s debut on Friday, February 1, 10:30 p.m. at
Zelo
831 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-333-7000
Come celebrate with Boom Island Brewers and LoMoMO!

The Musicians say a hearty thank you to all who entered for your creativity and support! There were hundreds of great names to choose from!
Our runners-up were;
Sipbelius - Robert Fitzpatrick, from Paris, France
Solidarity - Phil Passen
Verbruggen’s Brew - Tom Foley

LoMoMOpalooza is a new Belgian-style beer created by Kevin & Quixia Welch of Boom Island Brewery, who will generously donate $1 per bottle from the sale of this specially-created brew to the Musicians. Details of the special brew:
Color: Very Light Copper
Flavor: Moderate to Assertive Hop Bitterness with slight clove-like esters
Mouthfeel: Light and Crisp with a dry finish
Approx 6% ABV

Please check back for a listing of fine local establishments that
will carry LoMoMOpalooza on tap and for sale in bottles.

Brewmaster Kevin says, “Let’s raise a glass and get the Minnesota
Orchestra Musicians back on the concert stage! Cheers!”