A Satirical Overture and a witty prelude to our very serious guide on surviving retaliation after filing a grievance.

In this piece, Steve Vettese addresses a concerning behavior involving Alex Klein, former principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic, who sought and announced an autism diagnosis only after being terminated from his Calgary post.

Gergiev and Netrebko are not being “canceled” for their Russian identity. They are being criticized for actively and repeatedly promoting an authoritarian state’s violence, lies, and territorial aggression. In the arts, platforming is power. A podium is not neutral ground—it is a place of influence, a place where narratives are validated, history is shaped, and moral legitimacy is either reinforced or revoked.

Why did ballet’s sexual exploitation become spectacle in the 19th century while orchestras cloaked theirs in velvet hush? Because the world tolerates violence against women when it comes with music and pearls. Because we only call it a scandal when it breaks the illusion. Ballet was a performance of femininity. So when the abuse happened, it was expected. Or worse, admired. Orchestras, on the other hand, carried the banner of refinement. So when the abuse happened, it was unt

It's essential to know your legal rights, your protections, and how to take action when lines are crossed, whether you're a freelance artist, orchestral musician, conservatory student, or professor.

What began as a murmur of discontent towards Vice President J.D. Vance, swiftly crescendoed into a full-throated wall of Booing.

Questions arise about the motivations behind Kalmar's continued association with the Oregon Symphony: Is it rooted in loyalty or fear?

Is this the legacy that the Houston Symphony wishes to uphold? This letter is not just my voice—it echoes the disappointment...

"This isn’t just about one individual—it’s about dismantling a culture that allows abuse to persist in classical music institutions."