Sitting on an orchestra complaint committee

[Biggs]

But an ombudsman's usual role is to represent those being administered to those doing the administration, not for arbitration of peer squabbles.

I've already commented in this thread too many times for my own good, and this has virtually nothing to do with the original post, and I contributed to the confusion by referencing ombuds work in an earlier post, but I can't help myself: this isn't an ombuds' usual role. The vast majority of ombudspersons are organizational ombuds - corporations and academia being the major fields - and these parties are, by definition, neutral and not representatives or advocates of anything or anyone. Governments sometimes have designated ombuds offices where communication is essentially one-way and those offices do represent a certain constituency insofar as that constituency is the only group using the ombuds office (many states have ombuds offices to relay the interests of people living in government group homes, for example). Organizational ombudspersons typically wouldn't be involved in arbitration (a formal process, though also an ADR method), but they absolutely become involved in a lot of peer squabbles.

[bort]

Is this a professional group?

If it's an amateur group, then I don't understand why the "charged" person isn't just kicked out. I've seen people asked not to return for a variety of reasons (musical and otherwise), but membership in the group is always at-will, and subject to termination at any time by either side.

(One of the more interesting times I saw this happen was a shouting match that happened between a band member and the director, in the director's office (an open-door room next to the rehearsal room) which ended in an extremely loud "get the f#@! out of my band." I think almost everyone in the group saw and heard it happen, and honestly, we were kind of glad to see her go.)

One other thought -- is this very serious allegation serious enough to call the police? Like threats to personal safety, sexual harassment, theft...? Or is this something just stupid to do as a person, but not really "illegal" (like showing up drunk, spouting off political views at inappropriate times, etc)?

I'm with you, I'd decline to sit on the committee. I'm just curious why a committee like this even exists, and if it's union based, I guess I've just never been in a union to understand. Again, at-will participation here -- either side can cut ties at any time, for any reason (except for race, religion, blah blah blah discrimination).

[Three Valves]

I'm just curious why a committee like this even exists,

Largely, to stroke the ego of the committee's members and to assuage the petty grievances of those appointed under it.

I could be wrong...

[windshieldbug]

I'm forming a TubeNet complaint committee

I think that's a terrible idea
therefore I think I'm already on it...

[Three Valves]

Well, that's about as fair and democratic as one can get.

I'm satisfied!!

[Three Valves]

Every Committee requires a Secretary and paperwork.

I nominate myself.

If you don't agree, complete the following form and submit it to the Secretary Pro Tempore;

[Mark]

I'm just curious why a committee like this even exists,

Largely, to stroke the ego of the committee's members and to assuage the petty grievances of those appointed under it.

I could be wrong...

Remember, the camel is a horse designed by a committee.

[pgym]

FWIW …

storm ragest through woodwind section of buffalo philharmonic orchestra

fired oboist loses bid to reclaim his job with bpo

[Three Valves]

Article

“The principal flutist and a few of her supporters had a personality conflict with Pierre Roy,” Cohen said. “It’s not a question of music. It’s a question of personalities, and the arbitrator should have told orchestra members to ‘stop acting like children and get back to what you do so well.’ ”

[jon112780]

So to get and keep a professional job you need to not just perform professionally, but act professionally as well?

[Three Valves]

What if the guy sitting next to you has cooties??

Why didn't I think of this??

Article~

A flutist and other musicians complained about feeling uncomfortable while playing near Roy. After one complaint, the orchestra put up a Plexiglas shield between Roy and principal flutist Christine Davis.

[iiipopes]

So to get and keep a professional job you need to not just perform professionally, but act professionally as well?

Gee! Really?! As in, just like any other business endeavor?!!!

[ghmerrill]

Gee! Really?! As in, just like any other business endeavor?!!!

You don't spend much time watching professional sports or news about it, do you?

Professional athletes and a variety of "artists" of different sorts seem to get a pass on what the rest of the "business community" regards as required or appropriate. Perhaps these people feel that they are part of the "art community" where different rules apply?

[iiipopes]

Gee! Really?! As in, just like any other business endeavor?!!!

You don't spend much time watching professional sports or news about it, do you?

Professional athletes and a variety of "artists" of different sorts seem to get a pass on what the rest of the "business community" regards as required or appropriate. Perhaps these people feel that they are part of the "art community" where different rules apply?

You miss my satire bordering, hell, tripping headlong into, sarcasm.

[chronolith]

Update update:

First some detail.

This is a non-union group. While some money does change hands in a few key spots, I consider it unpaid. Whenever money has flowed (chamber group requests, school residencies, large pieces, etc) the principals generally donate fees back to the group, but are not required to do so. Some are working musicians and we encourage them to take what is earned. But for others (like myself) who have a day job outside of music, donating fees is viable.

After declining to serve on the committee I was asked to advise on the issue (and how to go about approaching a solution since I cited judging a fellow musician as a bad thing - again thanks for the advice). I can say that there luckily was no crime committed that would involve local authorities in any way. It was phrased to me as a very serious matter initially before I knew what was really going on. The imagination runs a bit wild. It turns out to boil down to simple personality conflict, but the complication is that the complaint has been brought by multiple long-serving members of the group. It is also not the first time it has happened regarding the player involved.

My recusal was inevitable as it involves a principal player that I am on good terms with. There is as it turns out multiple camps that seem to rally for or against this player. The group is divided and the potential for a catastrophic (though overly dramatic and childish) breakdown is there. Keep the player and you risk losing (and continuing to lose - yes people have left over this player) good musicians, dismiss the player and we risk losing the other camp of good musicians. In both cases we are risking our season commitments for which tickets and subscriptions have already been sold.

To be honest there is a certain amount of "grow up" that is called for in the situation. My hope is that the board will deal with this directly which is appropriate since there are no other viable options. But as with many groups, being on the board is feather-in-cap or a power trip. It is why I refuse to serve on orchestra boards any longer.

[timothy42b]

It has always seemed to me that personality conflicts in a group like this could be resolved. Each side could agree to compromise a bit, to limit their annoying behavior at least partly, with the understanding the other side would too. That's what grownups do.

However that's not what I've observed. 100% of the time that I've been present, one side or the other left in a huff never to return.

I never thought I could do any better so I've been careful not to get roped into these snarls.

We make our kids behave, but we don't always set the best example as adults.

[Three Valves]

bloke "The purpose of music is to get paid for doing work that neither gets you dirty nor makes you sweat."

I have always felt the same way about insurance and banking.

With the exception of having once been a US Army Reserve armored cavalry officer, I'm delicate!!

[Donn]

The 2-dozen-or-so-members band I've been in for 3 decades has never had any real serious problems of this nature, that I remember. I think there are a variety of reasons for it, most of them incidentally illustrating how little comparison there is between our band and the present organization. The one possibly relevant factor - and I can only guess that it is a factor - is that our director may have noticed serious problems and nipped them in the bud, quietly getting problem people to reconsider their interest in band membership.

Horrible job, but there's only one person who can do it, and you know what happens if it doesn't get done promptly.