Peace in our time in Minnesota
NewsThe modern history of the Minnesota Orchestra is bloodied by a board decision which locked the musicians out without pay for 15 months between 2012 and 2014 until reason prevailed in the boardroom.
Most of the board, along with its pet English manager, have long since been sacked. The atmosphere has improved and the music plays on.
Last night, the orchestra and its musicians signed a new pay deal running to August 2026.
Timothy Zavadil, Musicians’ Negotiating Committee Chair and a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, said, “The musicians are very pleased with this agreement that allows the Minnesota Orchestra to continue serving the community at the highest artistic level. In partnership with our board and management, we look forward to stewarding the Orchestra into a new era with Maestro Thomas Søndergård.”
“These were collegial and productive negotiations,” said Minnesota Orchestra Board Chair Joseph T. Green. “The Orchestra made its way through the deepest challenges of the pandemic with a flexible, creative and collaborative approach, and the same spirit prevailed in these negotiations. We appreciate the solid partnership we have enjoyed with our musicians as we carefully manage the Orchestra’s finances at the same time as we maintain our commitment to the highest levels of musical artistry.”
The deal involves a 2.5% increase in 2022-23; 2.76% in 2023-24; 3% in 2024-25 and another 3% in the final season of the contract.
Ah, Minnesota, you know how to run things…. not.
Surprised there hasn’t been anything about LA’s new contract!
‘Pet English manager’ is not an accurate description of Michael Henson. He was always his own man, both in Bournemouth and Minnesota. The problems in Minnesota were due entirely to his arrogant and confrontational style of ‘management’. He was never the board’s ‘pet’.
Good photo of Minnesota tuba player Steven Campbell and his B&S rotary valve C tuba.
Bravo to Tim and the Committee and Some Good News for an Excellent Orchestra!