There's a story I've seen on various Internet music sites about the 2nd Oboist in the Buffalo Philharmonic, about a Mr. J. Bud Roach who is "gay". I always hated that term, it puts people into categories they don't easily fit. Mr. Roach was doing fine in his new position, until the first oboist got his knickers in a twist over Mr. Roach's homosexuality.
Mr. Roach filed a Gay Discrimination Complaint by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. After filing his complaint, Mr. Roach was fired, despite being assured that there was no problem with his performance as a member of the orchestra. It seems that this orchestra has a problem with homosexuality.
I've known many homosexual people, and they are as diverse as any group you could imagine. In many ways, they seem more open to diversity than others I know. In the Fine Arts, there seem to be more gays than in everyday life. Or perhaps, people in the arts are just in more open to humanity in all it's manifestations. I really don't know.
The curious fact, is that there have been many great musicians that have been of this persuasion. Tschaikowsky, Copland, Bernstein, in addition to many performers that are still active today are openly "gay". Dance in particular is supposed to have many homosexual people performing. Or so they say.
What has possessed this orchestra to behave like this? Is orchestral music the last bastion of Uberhetero Wrestlemania Superhero Malehood? What difference should it make to one's ability to perform the "job"? The frequency of homosexual musicians, actors, writers, dancers and composers makes this all the more ridiculous.
Perhaps, the first oboe feels threatened by Mr. Roach. Maybe, Mr. Roy should look inside himself, before casting aspersions towards others. Is he uncomfortable with openly "gay" behavior?? Either way this is no way to treat another HUMAN BEING.
What is worse, is the decision by the Buffalo Philharmonic to give Mr. Roach his walking papers.
I am NOT supposed to talk about this, but, I made a Human Rights Complaint last year, and I was fired. It IS public knowledge however, and this despite having played with my organization for 32 years.
People don't complain unless they feel wronged for some reason. It is difficult, expensive, unpleasant and doesn't usually help relations at work. The alternative isn't easier, verbal abuse, strained relations within a section, and the possibility of even worse treatment in the future. What is a person to do??
Many orchestras want to "tow the company line" at the expense of individual happiness and autonomy. They also view the music director's view as "the voice of god" with no possibility of discussion or negotiation. This is sad state of affairs. If Mr. Roach is to win his case, which I hope he does, he probably will be branded as a "troublemaker".
If Mr. Roach loses his case, he is likely to be "blackballed" in Buffalo and perhaps elsewhere. My heart goes out to him.
Nobody wins in this situation. Orchestras need to grow up and start to recognize their responsibilities in up-holding the individual rights of it members. People deserve to be treated with respect. Period. Orchestras are not, or should not be exceptions to the normal rules of the workplace. This includes how management and the music director handles complaints of bad or unfair treatment by their employees.
Contracts should not be used as instruments to further management agendas. The Contract is a guide not a rulebook. In Mr. Roach's case, there probably wasn't anything to prevent his harassment. There should be a clear "anti-harassment" section in the musician's contract.
Very few orchestras in Canada have this. I don't know about the States.
But it all comes down to this. Mr. Roach deserved better from his orchestra for the problems he experienced, and whatever the outcome of his case, he deserved to be treated better than he was.