“Defying the Silence is essential reading for students of American Orchestral labor history. It vividly depicts the internal dynamics within an orchestra that resemble those of an extended family. Such a family dynamic, even with pockets of dysfunctionality, warrants further study as a paradigm of an effective ecosystem–especially in a world where various social norms have been fractured.” – Mark Volpe, president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1997 – 2021)
“Although the arts play a major role in defining our quality of life, we are reducing our commitment to it in both public education and civic support. Julie Ayer puts the spotlight on the Minnesota Orchestra, the lockout, the negotiations, the power plays–but, most importantly, the struggles imposed on our most musically talented. Is this book a ‘must read?’ Yes, if you care about enriching your community.” – Arne H. Carlson, governor of Minnesota (1991 – 1999)
“The prolonged lockout of the Minnesota Orchestra was a profoundly disturbing event in Minnesota and US cultural history. Julie Ayer has, for the first time, assembled and carefully documented the complete story of this event. To be sure, it is a maddening story of how a small group of people nearly drove one of America’s top orchestras directly off a cliff. But it is also a story of incredible musician solidarity as well as community resistance and collaboration. These combined efforts both rescued the orchestra from the dust bin and reassembled it as a stronger, more resilient organization. As Ayer notes, the Minnesota Orchestra was able to meet the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in a unique and award-winning way. It is now well-poised for a strong future serving its community with the outstanding music it both needs and deserves.” – Jonathan Eisenberg, Minnesota Orchestral Association board member, former vice chair of Save Our Symphony Minnesota, and retired attorney
“Defying the Silence is the seminal template of labor action in the symphonic industry. Julie Ayer has crafted a detailed in-the-trenches history of the dedication of the Minnesota Orchestra musicians to save their orchestra from an ill-conceived plan that valued business structure over artistic excellence. Facing certain financial hardship as they were locked out of their performance home, the musicians unanimously rejected steps destined to damage the orchestra’s international reputation, and they designed a model of survival that garnered nationwide support and awakened the priorities of the community.” –Brad Eggen, president of the Local 30-73 Twin Cities Musicians Union
Julie Ayer 