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DSO Loses Percussionists During Ongoing Strike

DETROIT (WWJ) - Once the labor dispute is settled between the striking musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and management, a new percussionist section will have to be hired.

Spokesman for the striking musicians Greg Bowens  says four percussionists left the DSO for other job opportunities outside of the state.

"These folks have been not working at their regular jobs for the last five months, and that can put a crimp in anybody's budget. They are doing everything that they possibly can to make ends meet and as I said, their services are in demand and so they are finding ways to do that," Bowens says.

"It is a loss in terms of talent, whenever you have folks who are this talented they are going to be in demand by the market, and that is true irrespective of what is going on," states Bowens.

The DSO has been on strike since October because of a disagreement over pay, among other things. They have suspended the rest of their season.

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