PITTSBURGH — Music returned to Heinz Hall with two free concerts over the weekend after an orchestra strike cost fans much of the fall season.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s financial woes remain a concern even as musicians took a 7.5 percent pay cut and the orchestra cut 10 staff jobs to save $800,000 a year.

Officials hope to raise $13 million over five years to stabilize the financial outlook. Both management and the 99 orchestra members credit federal mediators with helping end the 55-day strike last month and say new donations have helped soften the budget cutbacks.

The contract calls for musicians to return to their original $107,000 base salary level within five years.

All remaining tickets for holiday pops concerts Friday through Dec. 18 are $20.

By The Associated Press