The ongoing labor battle at the Minnesota Orchestra has forced VocalEssence to move its season-opening concert out of Orchestra Hall.

VocalEssence has contracted with 50 instrumentalists who are members of the Twin Cities Musicians' Union, and as long as the Minnesota Orchestra musicians are locked out, those union members will not play at Orchestra Hall.

VocalEssence had delayed the venue change as long as possible, in hopes of a settlment, said executive director Mary Ann Aufderheide.

"We needed to give our patrons ennough time to be aware of the venue change," she said.

The concert will be at the same time, 4 p.m. on Oct. 27, at Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12 St., Mpls. Composers Jonathan Dove and Aaron Jay Kernis (who resigned as director of the Composers' Institute at the orchestra) will be at the program.

Orchestra Hall is open in its remodeled form and is being used for some corporate events and concerts. However, any performances that would require the participation of union members will likely not take place if the lockout is still in place.

Information on the VocalEssence concert is here.