Jherrard Hardeman, the former Assistant Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, is suing the RPO and the University of Rochester. His complaint alleges that he was pushed out of his roles and subsequently subjected to false statements accusing him of inappropriate conduct involving minors and students. The defendants deny wrongdoing, and their position will ultimately be tested through the legal process.

Hazing in music schools is more than a rite. It is an emblem of a social pedagogy that trains silence, rewards submission, and cements closed networks that control opportunity. Those same networks can conceal sexual misconduct and exploitation and can punish anyone who tries to dismantle them.

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.

They’re the sneaky little thoughts that pop up when you flub an entrance and think, "Should I abandon music and open a taco truck instead?"

The Courage Over Silence Defense Fund supports classical musicians—survivors, whistleblowers, & advocates facing harassment.

“Can I ask you a favor?” they begin. Before you know it, you’ve agreed to babysit their child while they attend a “very important” concert.