Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer reports on musicians in The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra agreeing to ratify a contract which includes a 17% pay cut. That change comes in the first year of a new four-year contract.

Orchestra management say the cuts are necessary to balance the books. In return the musicians will have a much greater say in the everyday running of the orchestra. Orchestra President Bruce Coppock welcomed the deal, which will save the SPCO $680,000 in the next fiscal year. He says the orchestra needed to find almost two million dollars in savings.