Musicians return, get standing ovation

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It was music to their ears downtown Thursday night as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra put away the picket signs and picked up their instruments.

For the first time, since a long lockout against the orchestra ended Tuesday, the Musicians had the chance to play.

For five minutes, fans gave the returning Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra a standing ovation. That was before they ever played a note.

The music has a way of making bad memories fade. Zac De Pue, the ISO Concertmaster was glad to be back.

"It's not fun sitting at home waiting to play or wanting to play and not able to play. So it's nice to be back working."

Five weekends of performances had been canceled as the Orchestra board locked out the Musicians in a dispute over money. But this first happy hour of the symphony season Thursday night, went on as scheduled.

It was a less formal mixing of music and community. It was a chance for the Orchestra and fans to get reacquainted.

Among the patrons was Mauvene Borton, a fan of the symphony.

"I'm glad that they were able to finally come to an agreement. I just think we cannot allow this orchestra to not be supported," she said.

Patrons packed Hilbert Circle Theater. Concertmaster De Pue says the Musicians were ready.

"Wonderfully, every one of the musicians has stayed in shape. Everyone's back and rarin’ to go," he said. Rarin’ to go despite a 32 percent first year pay cut, in the five year deal. A deal contingent upon the orchestra raising $5 million in donations by Jan. 31, or it's back to the bargaining table.

On Thursday night, all that mattered was the music.

In all, the Musicians are giving up $11.5 million in concessions. The toughest task is still ahead of them - raising the money needed to make all of this work.

They've got just over three months to raise millions in new donations and connect with a broader based audience willing to pay the price to keep the symphony going.