The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has canceled all performances through the end of the year.
The musicians unanimously rejected management’s latest contract offer.
Management had asked for salary cuts and a reduction in the size of the orchestra after suffering nearly a million dollar deficit last year. The musicians counter that reduced wages will see the best players leaving for better-paying jobs, damaging the orchestra’s artistic standing.
SPCO management locked out the musicians last week.
Musicians at the area’s other ensemble, the Minnesota Orchestra, has been locked out for a month.
