| To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist> Subject: Re: before I give it all up....(long) Date sent: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 11:39:08 -0500 Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Dear Janis:
I'll share this because your story sounds so familiar to me and because there are many reasons for the nasty behavior of people.
When I was a young actress/singer, I had a job working for a state-funded theatre in New York. We had the opportunity to work with directors, playwrights and composers from NYC who used our company as a testing ground for pieces they were working on. One such established (though not recently produced, except in revival) Broadway composer treated me exactly as you describe: criticisms way out of proportion to the praises of others, including his wife - the director! It really came down to abusiveness.
After one rehearsal where his wife had nothing but praise for me, he humiliated me in front of the whole cast, saying I was ruining the whole show and had better be in his office in fifteen minutes to discuss my performance. Once I was there - nervous, miserable and humiliated, he switched tactics. The only reason he was so harsh with me, (said he) was because he saw how much talent I had and was frustrated that it wasn't being developed properly. He said he was willing to work with me - nights, if he had to! I was still reeling from this change of attitude, when he grabbed me and kissed me. Of course, I took off like a bat out of h*ll! Later there were phone calls and whispered suggestions as well.
When I reported his behavior to the producer, it came out that I was one of 3 who'd complained, including a 14 year old intern. When we compared notes, we saw that his tactic had been the same each time - really harsh uncalled-for criticism publicly, followed by meaningful, avuncular office chat, followed by....LUNGE! What really frightened me was that this man, who clearly had his routine down pat, had become most famous for his works which starred young girls.
I can't tell from your name whether you are male or female, but harassment is gender-blind and doesn't have to be of a sexual nature to be considered harassment. This man has created a hostile environement for you as a paying student and should be reported. He has criticised you in front of other students, down-graded you on your jury (if he were a figure-skating judge, his grade would be dropped!) and promised to fail you in a course which you haven't taken.
You sound like you have a wonderful, strong, sense of self and will make it through. But you shouldn't have to. You might start with your voice teacher since you have a good relationship with her/him. Then the dean of the music department. Then there should also be a student ombudsman with whom you can discuss recourse. Your grades are on record for a long time and you work hard for them, you should not get any less than you are due. At the very least - keep all your papers from his class and document instances of verbal harassment with names of witnesses and dates.
Or, pray for patience and let what comes, come with eyes wide open.
Best wishes to you Janis,
Laura Director of Children's Music First Presbyterian Church Albany NY
----- Original Message ----- From: To: <vocalist> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 9:54 AM Subject: Re: before I give it all up....(long)
i also am having somewhat of a similar situation. there is a professor in the music department (he's in charge of the insturmentalists) that does not get along with the other professors. And in return he takes out his dislike on the students of voice. I happen to be one of those students. When I did my jury last semester he gave me a D, and the other professors gave me B+, A-, A. Not consistant with those grades. He tells everyone that I don't belong in that department, even tho I make the dean's list. Now I am at my wits end, next sem. I have him for a teacher in 20th century music and he has told me right in front of other students that I will not pass his class. He has said about my voice that If I were an instrumentalist I would never make it into his section. Because of the unprofessionalism in that school between professors I suffer and it has gotton to the point where I am thinking of quiting also. But I am not going to give him that pleasure. I want to sing and sing well, so I will stick it out cause I have a wonderful voice teacher. Janis
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