MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Music students at the University of Minnesota are discouraged by musician lockouts at the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Before the lockouts, students in the university's School of Music regularly interacted with musicians from the Twin Cities orchestras.

Conducting students also learn from orchestra members, by observing SPCO and Minnesota Orchestra rehearsals.

Minnesota Orchestra musicians were locked out Oct. 1 after the orchestra's management and the musicians' union failed to reach a contract agreement. SPCO musicians were locked out shortly after, marking the first time both orchestras have been locked out simultaneously. Both have canceled concerts through the end of 2012.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved)

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