The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has canceled concerts through Feb. 8 because of the labor dispute with its musicians.

The orchestra had begun its season in September while contract talks continued between the board and union players. On Oct. 21, the board locked out musicians when they failed to vote on a contract proposal that would severely cut salaries. On Nov. 1, after musicians voted to reject the contract proposal, the SPCO canceled concerts through Dec. 31.

Monday's announcement means that more than three months of the season will have been canceled because of the lockout.

The SPCO last week reported a budget deficit of about $895,000 for the fiscal year that ended in June.

The two sides have not met since Nov. 8, at which time a federal mediator said that further meetings would not make sense until there was a new proposal to discuss, according to SPCO management. Both sides agreed.

The Minnesota Orchestra has not played any concerts this season because of its own lockout of musicians. The orchestra is expected to announce next week whether it will cancel concerts for January.

Musicians from both orchestras, meanwhile, continue to play in concerts they have themselves organize. Minnesota Orchestra musicians play Saturday and Sunday at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The SPCO plays the Messiah with the Minnesota Chorale on Dec. 20-21 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Graydon Royce • 612-673-7299