Dear Governor Dayton

Dear Governor,

I know that the demands of your office make you one of the busiest people in Minnesota but the musical flagship of your state needs your help. Right now. And I need to tell you a story –

Governor, 17 years ago I called up your uncle, Ken Dayton, and asked him to lunch. I had met him several times during my tenure with the Minnesota Orchestra and, as you know, he was a huge supporter of the orchestra, and of the arts in general. Ken took the time to listen to me pitch for his help. I wanted to start a chamber music group, one that had a different perspective, a different approach to interacting with our audience. I was hoping that he would give me some advice, and if I was really lucky, some seed money to get us started.

At the end of that lunch Ken leaned over to me and said “I’m going to give you $5,000 to get this started. Good luck.”

I have never been so surprised in my life. In retrospect I probably should not have been taken back by his generosity. He was from that golden generation in Minnesota society that believed in supporting all segments of the population, and in providing fiscal help and advice for those elements that serve all Minnesotans. It is no wonder that with that philosophy he was a huge supporter of the arts, providing major gifts to the original construction of Orchestra Hall and to the endowment of the Minnesota Orchestra. But he also wanted me to succeed and make Minnesota a better place to live, and so he was willing to help plant a seed and support my fledgling ensemble. We could never have reached the people who came to our concerts without his help.

A few months ago I found myself sitting next to his widow, Judy, at a concert organized by the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra. We did not have much time to talk but we did share our dismay at the current situation. I cannot help but think that if Ken and his generation were still around this incredibly destructive lock-out would never have happened. Ken had a vision for Minnesota, one where everyone contributed to making this state a great place to live. First and foremost, in his vision everyone had respect for each other and for what individuals did for the betterment of Minnesotan society.

Today, however, the Minnesota Orchestra is locked in a bitter struggle. No less of a mediator than George Mitchell is struggling to move the two sides to a return to the negotiation table. Yet if today’s report is correct it seems that the administration refuses to compromise in the slightest. Senator Mitchell, a man who managed to broker peace in Northern Ireland, is being rebuffed by the leadership of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Governor, at this point it should be blatantly obvious to all and sundry that the current leadership of the Minnesota Orchestra is ethically bankrupt. They are not fit to represent the people of Minnesota in this issue, and they most definitely are not worthy of being the successors of the philanthropic generation represented by your uncle. The people of Minnesota are deeply generous and rightly proud of the artistic scene in this state. There are many who would step up and work to ensure the long-term artistic and financial help of the Minnesota Orchestra. The only way for this to happen is for the current leadership of the orchestra to resign, and new stewards be appointed to manage this venerable institution.

Governor, there is no one in this state who has the political heft to bring enough pressure to bear to make this happen. You must use the bully pulpit which is the governorship of Minnesota to force a change at the Minnesota Orchestra. You cannot remain aloof any longer. The alternative is the death of the Minnesota Orchestra, and I would hope you would not want that as the most obvious artistic legacy of your tenure as Governor of this great state.

Sincerely,

William Eddins

******* UPDATE:

I have forwarded this letter to every press outlet I know in the Twin Cities, as well as my State and City representatives. My State representative, Phyllis Kahn, has promised to forward this directly to Governor Dayton. I hope he takes it to heart.