SHORT TAKES : Musicians Quit Over Contract

Sixteen of the 24 tenured musicians of the Minneapolis Chamber Symphony have quit after abstaining from voting on a contract proposal.

The musicians issued a statement Monday saying the orchestra’s board had threatened to disband the orchestra if the musicians didn’t ratify the contract. They said the board also threatened to sue the union if the musicians pursued in further negotiations their wish for significant input in artistic decisions.

Brad Eggen, union president, said the 18-month contract was ratified by a majority of the eight remaining tenured musicians who voted on it Sunday. “We were committed to accepting the best possible offer from the management,” he said.

Orchestra Manager John Coughlin said he has no plans to cancel any concerts. “We’ve got a Rolodex full of people who want to audition for this orchestra,” he said. “We anticipate we’ll have musicians of as good--or better--caliber.”