BSO Postpones Season Preview, 'Star Wars' Concerts; Alsop Conducts Musicians At Unofficial Show

Amid the ongoing labor dispute between the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and its musicians, the orchestra has begun postponing concerts.

The season preview concert, which would have been held Saturday, was pushed back a week to Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. Eligible donors who have already reserved seats will automatically have those seats for the new date.

"Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - In Concert," originally set to be performed Sept. 19 at The Music Center at Strathmore and Sept. 20 and 21 at the Meyerhoff, will instead be performed next spring. Ticketholders should expect to hear from the BSO ticket office as soon as new dates are confirmed. Previous tickets and parking passes will no longer be valid.

BSO musicians were locked out in June after failing to reach an agreement with management. That lockout ended this week. However, musicians refuse to take the stage until a new contract is in place. Earlier this week, they filed an unfair labor practice claim with the National Labor Relations Board.

The orchestra contends its musicians are on strike. Brian Prechtl, co-chair of the BSO Players' Committee, said he prefers the term "work stoppage." Musicians still plan to play a concert at 4 p.m. Saturday at New Shiloh Baptist Church.

BSO music director and conductor Marin Alsop volunteered to conduct the ensemble. Choral singers also volunteered their services. Alsop, who has made no public statement on the labor dispute, is due to speak, as is City Council President Brandon M. Scott. Attendees will also see a video message from Rep. Elijah Cummings.

The conflict began in May after the orchestra abruptly canceled its summer concerts and announced that it would shorten what had been a year-round season. In its most recent contract proposal, the orchestra offered to raise weekly pay and hire more musicians. Management also offered a short-term option of keeping the previous agreement in place through the end of the year while the sides work toward a solution.

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Robert Lang contributed to this report.