Harpsichords & Hot Sauce Orchestra Journal

When Autism Becomes a Shield: Alex Klein and the Misuse of Neurodivergence in Classical Music Photo credit: Chicago Magazine

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Summary of My Involvement in the Calgary Philharmonic Investigation on Oboist Alex Klein - by Katie A. Berglof

open.substack.com/pub/katieber...

How Hazing Shapes the Gatekeeping and Political Culture in Classical Music - By Katie A. Berglof

open.substack.com/pub/katieber...

Fixing the Call: Does the AFM Need a Fairer Hiring System for Freelance Musicians? It often begins with an email or phone call that never comes.

open.substack.com/pub/katieber...

Hi everyone, we finally created a Facebook Page for Courage Over Silence! Please like, follow, share! Thank you for all the support this past year and for caring about this initiative. ❤️

Link to FB Page:
www.facebook.com/courageovers...

Thank you to everyone who has made it possible! 💕

Katherine Needleman says:
“If you ever wanted a [Queen of Filth] T-shirt, now’s your time.”

T-shirts here:
www.bonfire.com/anita-kunz-q...

Proceeds Fundraiser for COS (reeds, lessons, compositions and arrangements, blog subscriptions):
katherineneedleman.com/courage-over...

Standing Up for Integrity in Classical Music — Why I Left the Seattle Symphony, Spoke Up About Alex Klein, and Supported the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Investigation "This isn’t just about one individual, it’s about dismantling a culture that allows abuse to persist in classical music institutions. My decision to leave the Seattle Symphony was rooted in my unwaver...

It’s been just over a year since I left the Seattle Symphony and 7 months since I first published this piece. I’ve updated it with a few reflections and information near the end, but the core of my experience remains unchanged.

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/standin...

Gergiev and Netrebko: Icons of a Weaponized Culture Italy Drew the Line. So Should We. This week, a concert by Valery Gergiev at the Reggia di Caserta was canceled by the Italian Ministry of Culture. The decision followed a wave of public outrage, prot...

Italy Drew the Line. So Should We.

Link to current/new article (July 21st):
www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/gergiev...

Link to first article on Gergiev (June 24th):
www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/from-po...

Emergency Resource Guide for Classical Musicians in Financial Need Whether it's the high cost of education, performance-related expenses, or the instability of gig work, classical musicians often face unique obstacles. If you’re in a dire situation and need immediate...

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/emergen...

A Guide for Classical Musicians Facing Online Threats, Harassment, and Cyberbullying Whether you're receiving threatening messages, being doxxed, impersonated, or targeted by smear campaigns, it's important to know your rights, what actions you can take, and how to protect yourself. W...

In light of the news about David Blumberg’s continued online threats towards Thomas Piercy (and other musicians), and the attempted Reddit smear campaign of Rebecca Bryant Novak, we are sharing our guide on cyberbullying.

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/a-guide...

An Early History of Exploitation in Ballet, Opera, Theatre, and Orchestras 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 an...

"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 unthinkable. Until it wasn't."

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/an-earl...

From Podium to Propagandist: Gergiev’s Role in Putin’s Empire For too long, Western institutions, particularly in the classical music world, have hidden behind the notion that “art is above politics.” But art is never above politics when it is used as a tool of ...

"For too long, Western institutions—particularly in the classical music world—have hidden behind the notion that “art is above politics.” But art is never above politics when it is used as a tool of nationalism, repression, or propaganda."

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/from-po...

Read more at: www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com

When Women Uphold Misogyny in Classical Music Culture Most women don’t wake up one day and decide to defend abusers. It’s subtler than that. It starts with what we’re taught to value: Be nice. Be likable. Don’t cause trouble. Don't be that woman. Be grat...

Most women don’t wake up one day and decide to defend abusers. It’s subtler than that. It starts with what we’re taught to value...

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/when-wo...

Beyond the Stage: The NEA Crisis and American Orchestras Many orchestras have spent the last two decades trying to reverse the stereotype of elitism—to open their doors wider, to be more reflective of the communities they serve. NEA funding has often helped...

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/beyond-...

Classical Musicians Guide to Knowing Your Rights 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.

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/classic...

Yasmin Williams, an American composer and artist who has performed at the… | Harpsichords & Hot Sauce Yasmin Williams, an American composer and artist who has performed at the The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the past, writes: "I emailed the interim executive director of the...

Yasmin Williams, an American composer and artist who has performed at the Kennedy Center in the past, receives a triggered response from Interim Executive Director Richard Grenell after her polite email:

www.linkedin.com/posts/harpsi...

Margaret Batjer a violin teacher at Colburn School, and adjunct professor… | Harpsichords & Hot Sauce Margaret Batjer a violin teacher at Colburn School, and adjunct professor of violin at USC Thornton School of Music shares another look into what's happening to international students all around t...

Margaret Batjer a violin teacher at Colburn School shares another look into what's happening to international students all around the country...this time it impacted her former student who attends The Juilliard School:

www.linkedin.com/posts/harpsi...

Trump’s Kennedy Center Coup: A Symphony of Boos, Bureaucracy, and Bafflingly Bad Decisions What began as a murmur of discontent towards the Vice President swiftly crescendoed into a full-throated wall of Booing.

It was, without question, the most honest review a politician has ever received in a concert hall.

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/trump-s...

Loyalty or Fear? Kalmar's Return to The Oregon Symphony Reopens Old Wounds Questions arise about the motivations behind Kalmar's continued association with the Oregon Symphony: Is it rooted in loyalty or fear?

Questions arise about the motivations behind Kalmar's continued association with the Oregon Symphony: Is it rooted in loyalty, or does it stem from a culture of fear and intimidation?

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/loyalty...

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Petition Letter Sent to Houston Symphony Dear Petitioners, First and foremost, thank you for your unwavering support and dedication. Your voices have been powerful, and your willingness to stand up for integrity and safety in our orchestral ...

A formal petition letter was sent today (as William VerMeulen returned to the stage at Jones Hall) to the Houston Symphony leadership team, AFM Local 65-699 Houston, ICSOM, and multiple Houston Symphony directors:

www.change.org/p/reform-hou...

gofund.me/385e68a2

Wow!!! We are very moved to see that the defense fund has grown substantially over the last week.

Thank you to everyone who has continually donated!!

What we are most happy to see is the number of donors - so many care about this initiative and it shows!
✨🎵🎉✨

MY ENCOUNTER WITH PETER ELLEFSON AT A MAJOR TROMBONE SEMINAR a guest post by Vanessa Fralick

In an effort to make music schools, brass playing, and festivals safer, please take the time to read Toronto Symphony trombone player Vanessa Fralick’s article.

katherineneedlemanoboist.substack.com/p/my-encount...

Thank you to our top readers! ✨📰🎵🌶️🎻🗞️✨

Houston’s Top Horn Musician Allegedly Harassed Rice Students for Decades. And the School Knew. - The Barbed Wire EXCLUSIVE This story has been published in collaboration with the editorially independent student newspaper The Rice Thresher, where the author Riya Misra is editor in chief.  This story contains desc...

This article on horn player William VerMeulen goes into great detail of the multiple accounts of exploitation of his horn students at Rice University. Bravo to Chief Editor Riya Misra of The Rice Thresher for this article on Bill VerMeulen's misconduct.

thebarbedwire.com/2025/02/05/h...

Jonathan Carney’s Career Wasn’t Built on Merit—It Was Built on the BSO's Shielding of His Misconduct Carney’s misconduct wasn’t an open secret—it was a documented fact. Artistic legacy means nothing if built on the backs of silenced victims.

Carney’s misconduct wasn’t an open secret—it was a documented fact. Artistic excellence means nothing if it is built on the backs of silenced victims. No more celebrating men who abuse their positions, and no more rewarding them with honorary titles.

www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/jonatha...

Our Chief Editor, Katie Berglof, will be part of a webinar for the League of Women Bass Players. A huge thank you to Katherine Needleman for nominating her!

Saturday, January 25th
8AM PST

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/8642595047....

Meeting ID: 864 2595 0470
Passcode: 821121