by Roxy Krietzman, senior

It is day 365 of the Minnesota Orchestra musicians lockout.

Instead of spending the day wrapped up in the politics, the musicians performed a free concert for HHS music students and staff in the auditorium.

Pamela Arnstein, a first violin player for the Minnesota Orchestra, wants everyone to know that the lockout is in no way discouraging them from celebrating their music.

“People want to know what we’re up to.  We’re not at home crying in our beds, we’re out in the community playing concerts,” Arnstein said.

The orchestra performed full pieces as well as excerpts from various symphonies.

Manny Laureano, the principal trumpet and occasional conductor, made the concert as interactive as possible.  He paused the music many times throughout to discuss the styles of different composers and the order in which classical pieces flow.

In addition to sharing his knowledge of music, Laureano spoke of how his love for playing trumpet began.

“My passion came really from the fact that I was skinny, worse glasses, and had zits when I was a teenager.  Music was my only voice,” Laureano said.

Most of the musicians started their instrument during elementary school, much like the students at HHS.  In a time when Julia Jallo, sophomore, was unsure if she wanted to continue to play violin, she saw a professional orchestra perform and it inspired her to continue on.

“Seeing people transform their love for music into a job seems really fulfilling,” Jallo said.

It may have been a year since the orchestra lockout began, but the musicians still play every day.  “A day without great music is really no day at all,” Laureano said.