Julie Ayer

When the Minnesota Orchestra took the
stage at Havana’s Teatro Nacional during
the ensemble’s historic Cuba tour in May
2015, its ranks included several musicians
who weren’t members at the time—among
them violinist Julie Ayer, who was formerly
assistant principal second violin and joined
the tour to help bring the section to full
strength. Ayer had retired in 2012 after 36
years in the Orchestra, but there were still
more chapters to be written in her story
with the ensemble. In the same way, the
Orchestra’s own story is always being written,
and Ayer has become one of its chroniclers
through the release of a new book, Defying
the Silence, which explores the Orchestra’s
lockout of 2012–14 as well as the years that
have followed, in which the organization
introduced new collaborative models and has
persevered during the pandemic.
Ayer’s interest in orchestra labor relations
extends to the start of her performing
career, which began with the Houston
Symphony. Her research into the history
of collective bargaining in orchestras
led to the 2005 release of her first book,
More Than Meets the Ear: How Symphony
Musicians Made Labor History. “There
was no cohesive documentation of the
real drama that transformed the lives of
professional orchestra musicians,” she says.
“I was determined to change that because I
believe in documenting history and the wise
words of Virginia Woolf: ‘Nothing has really
happened until it has been recorded.’”
What Ayer calls the “same obsession” drove
her to write Defying the Silence, subtitled
A Chronicle of Resilience That Saved the
World-Renowned Minnesota Orchestra, and
document what she calls “a profound period
of time for the Minnesota Orchestra and for
the community” as well as the transformation
of relationships that took place during that
time. “Both books were a labor of love, and
a tribute to the artistry of musicians and
their crucial importance in our society and
culture,” she adds. “The hard-fought gains
and accomplishments of our predecessors are
fragile and must be protected.” The book,
released in late May, is available as both a
paperback and e-book via Amazon.
Alongside researching and writing, Ayer has
found other rewarding activities during her
retirement, as her husband Carl Nashan,
who is also a former Minnesota Orchestra
violinist, split time between St. Paul and
southern California. “Carl retired from the
Minnesota Orchestra many years before me,
and very much wanted to escape Minnesota
winters,” Ayer explains. “So eventually he
found the ideal ‘garden cottage’ a few blocks
from the Pacific Ocean. We both enjoy
daily walks, road trips, growing water-wise
flowers and plants—succulents, especially—
and citrus trees that thrive in that climate. It
is year-round outdoor living and we never
take it for granted.” Back in Minnesota, she
keeps up musical ties by playing with her
chamber music group Classica Chamber
Players, formerly Hill House Chamber
Players, primarily at Sundin Hall at Hamline
University. “Occasionally I play viola for
these concerts, and love the resonance of the
inner voices,” she comments.
Ayer’s passion for orchestral music and her
interest in the collective efforts that make it
possible —both on and off the stage—have
produced a memorable career as well as two
important books stemming from her unique
insider’s view. “Although I miss playing great
music with my colleagues, I am enriched by
listening in a different way and gaining a
different perspective,” she says. “I will always
miss my colleagues and lifelong friends, their
artistry, and the easy camaraderie we share.
Music is my lifeblood and will always inspire
and move me.”
Visit minnesotaorchestra.org/stories for an
extended version of this story, and find more
information about Defying the Silence at
julieayer.com.
retired musician spotlight: Julie Ayer