JEG’s new orchestra has a non-bullying warning
OrchestrasFrom the brand-new website of Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s Springhead Constellation:
Key Principles
Our commitment to a safe and supportive environment means that any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying will not be tolerated. Everyone at SCL has a role in cultivating this culture of respect, whether in artistic critique, professional feedback, or interpersonal communication. We approach every interaction with care, recognizing the boundaries between constructive critique and personal criticism, and strive to handle creative disagreements with open dialogue and mutual understanding.
Our procedure for reporting concerns
Individuals may report incidents to the designated HR contact confidentially. Reports will be handled promptly, sensitively, and in line with SCL’s procedures. Complaints will be investigated in a fair and impartial manner and appropriate actions will be taken, which may include mediation, disciplinary measures, or external legal action.
SCL is committed to addressing all concerns promptly, fairly, and sensitively. To ensure a transparent and structured process, the following steps are in place:
Report the Concern
Individuals who experience or witness bullying, harassment, or any other form of inappropriate behavior are encouraged to report their concerns confidentially.
Monitoring and Review
SCL will regularly review this policy to ensure it remains relevant and effective, with input from staff, artists, and external advisors.
We communicate this policy clearly to all stakeholders at the start of each collaboration.
A good move; many fulltime orchestras have toxic section environments. Sounds like they are also trying to put safeguards in place to make sure that the anti bullying infrastructure, doesn’t also devolve into a Robespierre style terror, or be something that bullies and cliques can use to their advantage.
Imagine being in golden handcuffs (because of the scarcity of job openings) and having to spend the next several decades of one’s career next to someone who is narcissistic or socially inept in a passive aggressive way.
However well-meaning, this also reads a bit as some instruction flyer of a state prison with dangerous psychopaths, where catastrophe lurks at every corner.
And this is only apart from the music.