ST. PAUL — As the lockout of musicians at the Minnesota Orchestra nears a year, Gov. Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said Thursday it’s time for the sides to bury grudges and resume face-to-face talks.

The two Democrats called a news conference to voice frustration about the long-running dispute. In Rybak’s words, “the future of the Minnesota Orchestra is at stake.” Dayton and Rybak stressed they aren’t taking sides.

“Somehow this institution has to become more important to the parties involved than even their own very legitimate self-interests,” Dayton said. “I make this appeal and strongly urge that representatives of the board, representatives of the musicians meet with the mediator as soon as possible and continue that face-to-face meeting as long as it takes to get an agreement.”

The sides have been working through an independent mediator — former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell — in recent days but that hasn’t produced any discernible breakthrough. The lockout that started last October stemmed from management’s proposal to trim musician salaries.

Blois Olson, a spokesman for the musicians, said the parties are still a long way apart. “We will look for a way forward but there are still serious questions about the executive leadership of this organization,” he said.