From Powdered Wigs to Protests: Short Stories, Essays, and Memoirs Unmasking Symphony Orchestra Culture
Advocacy & Resource Hub for Classical Musicians
Welcome to the Classical Musician Advocacy & Resource page. This hub helps classical musicians navigate challenges and access critical support. It was created to protect, inform, and uplift musicians at all levels of the profession whether you're a student, freelance artist, educator, or a member of a professional orchestra.
On this page, you'll find:
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Legal & Reporting Tools for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
(e.g., Title IX complaints, OCR, EEOC, state-level human rights offices)
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Mental Health & Crisis Support including sexual assault services and musician-specific care.
(e.g., Helping Survivors, MusiCares, The Trevor Project)
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Emergency Relief Guide for urgent housing, legal aid, or financial assistance.
(e.g., Musicians Foundation, Sweet Relief Fund, union emergency programs)
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Know Your Rights & Labor Law Info for both union and non-union musicians
(e.g., AFM resources, NLRB, local labor departments)
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Financial Literacy Tools tailored to freelance and working artists.
(e.g., tax help, budgeting tools, grant writing basics, information on creating contracts)
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Health & Wellness Resources focusing on injury prevention and long-term care.
(e.g., Performing Arts Medicine Association, Fit as a Fiddle, Body Mapping)
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives in music schools, festivals, and orchestras.
(e.g., Sphinx Organization, Gateways Music Festival, DEI audit programs)
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Courage Over Silence Defense Fund and mutual aid networks for musicians.
Explore, share, and know that you are not alone....
Tailored Guides for Classical Musicians
Resource Lists & Links
Safety & Ethics
Health & Wellbeing
Performing Arts Medicine and Injury Prevention
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA): International organization focused on musician and dancer health, research, education, and a clinician directory.
https://artsmed.org/
BAPAM British Association for Performing Arts Medicine: Health resources, injury prevention guidance, and performer focused medical services.
https://www.bapam.org.uk/health-resources/
Performing Arts Medicine Clinics and Practitioners Directory: Curated list of music medicine clinics and specialists.
https://www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/list-of-performing-arts-medicine-clinics-music-medicine-practitioners
Musicians Health Collective Resources: Educational resources on injury prevention, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Body Mapping, and hearing health.
https://www.musicianshealthcollective.com/resources
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Musician Health Education and Injury Awareness
Musician Health Resource:
General education on physical strain, pain prevention, practice habits, and wellness.
https://musicianhealthresource.com/
University of Puget Sound Musician Health and Safety:
Guides and links focused on safe practice, hearing protection, and physical wellbeing.
https://www.pugetsound.edu/school-music-students-and-community/current-music-students/musicians-health-and-safety
UT Austin Butler School of Musician Health: Overview of common musician injuries, mental health concerns, and wellness practices.
https://music.utexas.edu/perform-study/musicians-health
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Things Musicians Don’t Talk About Resources: Mental health, anxiety, injury, burnout, discrimination, and taboo issues in music.
https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.com/resources
Royal Society of Musicians Health and Wellbeing: Webinars, injury prevention education, and mental health support
https://www.rsmgb.org/health-and-wellbeing
Independent Society of Musicians Health Services: Counselling, physiotherapy guidance, and physical health resources
https://www.ism.org/advice/physical-health/
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Broader Music Health Resource Hubs
Music Connections Health Support:
Central hub linking to musician wellbeing organizations and support services.
https://musicconnections.com/resources/health-support/
American Viola Society Health and Wellness Resources: Curated list of clinics, injury prevention resources, and education.
https://www.americanviolasociety.org/health-and-wellness-resources/
Musicians Health Corner: Directory of performing arts health organizations and clinics.
https://www.musicianshealthcorner.com/resources.html
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Equity Arc: Advancing racial equity for BIPOC classical musicians and building pathways from early study to professional careers.
https://equityarc.org/
NAfME Diversity Equity Inclusion Access and Belonging Equity Resource Center: DEI resource center with articles, webinars, FAQs, and virtual collections for music educators.
https://nafme.org/diversity-equity-inclusion-access-belonging-deiab/
American Federation of Musicians DEIA Resources: Union commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for musicians including workplace protections and reporting tools.
https://www.afm.org/deia/
EDIMS Resource List: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Music Higher Education resources including guides, toolkits, and inclusive music learning tools
https://edims.network/resources/
Music Inclusion Hub Database and Curriculum Guides: Repertoire and curriculum resources celebrating composers from gender and culturally marginalized communities.
https://www.musicinclusionhub.com/database
MTNA DEI Studio Resources: MTNA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion materials and teaching resources for inclusive studio practice.
https://www.mtna.org/GP3/MTNA/Learn/DEI_Resources/DEI_Studio.aspx
Berklee College of Music DEI LibGuide: Guide to DEI-focused organizations, projects, and community groups including New Muses Project.
https://guides.library.berklee.edu/dei
Early Music America IDEA Resources: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access resources for early music communities.
https://www.earlymusicamerica.org/idea/
Friday Morning Music Club DEI Resource PDF: Curated list of repertoire databases and reading lists to support inclusive practice.
https://fmmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Resources-for-Inclusion-and-Diversity-in-Classical-Music.pdf
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DEI-Focused Organizations for Classical Musicians
Sphinx Organization: National nonprofit supporting young Black and Latino classical musicians.
https://sphinxmusic.org/
Black Lives in Music (UK): Advocating for equity and opportunities for Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse music professionals.
https://www.blacklivesinmusic.co.uk/
HBCU School of Music Network: Focused on historically Black colleges and universities music programs and equity initiatives.
https://hbcumusic.org/
League of American Orchestras Diversity & Inclusion Resources: Tools, policies, and research for orchestras to foster equity and inclusion.
https://americanorchestras.org/diversity-equity-inclusion/
Women in Music: Advocates for gender equity and supports women composers, conductors, and performers.
https://www.womeninmusic.org/
New Music USA: Equity and Inclusion Resources – Supporting inclusive practices in contemporary classical music programming.
https://www.newmusicusa.org/programs/equity-inclusion/
Color of Music: Promoting representation and access for musicians of color in classical music education and performance.
https://colorofmusic.org/