I’m sorry you experienced retaliation for being human and showing empathy, I know what that feels like. What I fail to understand is why organizations fear standing up for victims? Has doing the opposite done them any favors? It seems that silencing staff and staying out of moral issues has done most institutions more harm than good….from a PR perspective, that is, which seems to be their only concern.
I think a lot of it has to do with really archaic ideas about “image”. Curtis is a very fearful organization, particularly in the Marcomn department. Afraid of a spelling error. Afraid of posting a video with a wrong note.
I think this is because the major donors run the school. They are like little kings and queens with their private masterclasses and handwritten letters from students. Donors have no problem scolding staff for a typo or a broken link.
As an example—the Nantucket festival where the performers lodge at the Rubenstein’s mansion. These elites never get told no. Many of them are horrible people whose fortunes come from horrible things. Some them are good people (like the wealthy doctors and surgeons) but some are very wicked.
Wow, this disgusts me! Wonderful post, spot on! I am livid over an employee of the Curtis Institute, which I attended attempting to retaliate against you for supporting me after the horrific ordeal I endured. Literally what the article was calling out?!? The rot runs deep.
I had no idea at the time, though my gut told me to mask and not speak to the press. I understand as a marketing employee, I represented the school, but... retaliation from a senior staff member is so twisted. She held so much power over me, and chose to jeopardize my safety and wellbeing.
I can not agree more with everything you say. Everything. (Also fellow flutist here. Principal Alabama symphony orchestra). What I have both experienced and seen in the past 35 years is mind boggling and tho I would like to think that there is slow progress, it’s painfully slow and lots of steps backwards for every one forwards. Thank you for speaking truth to power. Your bravery and eloquence are so respected and admired here. And lastly, I’m sorry you went through any of that. It’s inexcusable.
Also in my talks to donors, audiences, kids I always liken us to athletes. I call us the athletes of the fine motor muscles. In the football crazed south that metaphor works well to explain the hours of “training” we put in on our own (as well as the years to develop the elite skills) and that rehearsals are like team practices. That we work in the “off season” to stay in shape and hone our skills. It’s a good paradigm to explain why we “only” work 8 services a week instead of 40 hours. I advocated having trading cards of us made up for the school kids with “stats”. Maybe I’ll be a marketing person in my next life. Again. I’m so sorry for what you experienced. And everyone else with similar situations. It’s sickening.
What Cara Kizer said. I'm sorry about that horrible treatment, grateful you brought it to light, and intrigued by your analogies with sports. Mostly I'm glad to know you're in a better job now. And Cara raises such a good question: wouldn't these institutions do much better for themselves by standing up for victims?
I’m sorry you experienced retaliation for being human and showing empathy, I know what that feels like. What I fail to understand is why organizations fear standing up for victims? Has doing the opposite done them any favors? It seems that silencing staff and staying out of moral issues has done most institutions more harm than good….from a PR perspective, that is, which seems to be their only concern.
I think a lot of it has to do with really archaic ideas about “image”. Curtis is a very fearful organization, particularly in the Marcomn department. Afraid of a spelling error. Afraid of posting a video with a wrong note.
I think this is because the major donors run the school. They are like little kings and queens with their private masterclasses and handwritten letters from students. Donors have no problem scolding staff for a typo or a broken link.
As an example—the Nantucket festival where the performers lodge at the Rubenstein’s mansion. These elites never get told no. Many of them are horrible people whose fortunes come from horrible things. Some them are good people (like the wealthy doctors and surgeons) but some are very wicked.
Wow, this disgusts me! Wonderful post, spot on! I am livid over an employee of the Curtis Institute, which I attended attempting to retaliate against you for supporting me after the horrific ordeal I endured. Literally what the article was calling out?!? The rot runs deep.
I had no idea at the time, though my gut told me to mask and not speak to the press. I understand as a marketing employee, I represented the school, but... retaliation from a senior staff member is so twisted. She held so much power over me, and chose to jeopardize my safety and wellbeing.
I can not agree more with everything you say. Everything. (Also fellow flutist here. Principal Alabama symphony orchestra). What I have both experienced and seen in the past 35 years is mind boggling and tho I would like to think that there is slow progress, it’s painfully slow and lots of steps backwards for every one forwards. Thank you for speaking truth to power. Your bravery and eloquence are so respected and admired here. And lastly, I’m sorry you went through any of that. It’s inexcusable.
Thank you. It means a lot coming from a fellow flutist. ❤️
Also in my talks to donors, audiences, kids I always liken us to athletes. I call us the athletes of the fine motor muscles. In the football crazed south that metaphor works well to explain the hours of “training” we put in on our own (as well as the years to develop the elite skills) and that rehearsals are like team practices. That we work in the “off season” to stay in shape and hone our skills. It’s a good paradigm to explain why we “only” work 8 services a week instead of 40 hours. I advocated having trading cards of us made up for the school kids with “stats”. Maybe I’ll be a marketing person in my next life. Again. I’m so sorry for what you experienced. And everyone else with similar situations. It’s sickening.
Hahaha I like the trading cards. It’s really true. Thank you for your kind words.
What Cara Kizer said. I'm sorry about that horrible treatment, grateful you brought it to light, and intrigued by your analogies with sports. Mostly I'm glad to know you're in a better job now. And Cara raises such a good question: wouldn't these institutions do much better for themselves by standing up for victims?