The Symphony Will Strike A Chord On Thursday

DETROIT (WWJ) - Monday afternoon orchestra members assembled and agreed to return to work at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) so that rehearsals could resume this Thursday in preparation for free weekend patron concerts. 

The repertoire will include classical favorites such as Dvorák's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World."

WWJ Newsradio 950 first reported the tentative agreement. The DSO announced earlier Monday that late Sunday night a tentative agreement was reached between the negotiating committees after 27 hours of bargaining over the weekend.

The weekend concerts will be conducted by Music Director Leonard Slatkin. on Sat., April 9 at 8 p.m. and Sun., April 10 at 3 p.m. 

"As we return to our home, I'm confident that the artistic product will continue at the highest possible level.  There is much to be done but the DSO will emerge a healthier and stronger institution," said Slatkin.

Management spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt told The Associated Press in an e-mail Monday that details of the agreement reached following talks over the weekend weren't being immediately released.

Musicians' spokesman Greg Bowens says the tentative agreement was reached late Sunday. He says musicians will vote this week on whether to ratify the deal.

Musicians walked off the job Oct. 4. Management suspended the remainder of the current season in February after musicians rejected a contract proposal. Musicians had said they were given a deadline of last Friday to settle the strike or face losing the summer performance season and jeopardizing the fall season.

Weekend Concert Ticket Information:

Those patrons who would like to attend this weekend's free patron concerts on Saturday and Sunday are encouraged to contact the DSO's Box Office at  (313) 576-5111 or go online at http://www.dso.org/ to request a voucher for these concerts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.