A Toronto-area orchestra ensemble is being accused of bullying and body-shaming after a now-public email from its management asserted that only “physically fit and slim” vocalists would be allowed to perform with them.
Sydney Dunitz, a now former vocalist with the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra, posted a copy of the email on Facebook Tuesday night. The post has since accumulated more than 500 shares.
In the email, signed by “The Management,” the orchestra outlines concerns about the physicality of two members of their vocalist ensemble.
“It has been brought to our attention that although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim – the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line performing artists to be – two of our featured singers were not,” it reads.
“And we hope that they would, as such, refrain from using tight-fitting dresses and use loose (less physically-revealing, less physically-accentuating) dresses instead.”
The email goes on to say that while being “physically fit and slim” is not required of their “instrumental musicians” because they are “essentially background wallpaper,” there are more stringent expectations for their vocalists.
Management then suggests that those vocalists deemed physically unfit will not be invited to participate in their “boutique performances” unless they dress “strategically” and unassumingly.
“Kindly note that for all future shows – as per our highly selective casting requirements for vocal artists taking on a prominent leading role on stage – only singers who are physically fit and slim (or, at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras,” the email concludes.
Dunitz said she was “disgusted” and “shocked" by the email, which she called “incredibly inappropriate.”
She said the email goes beyond the parameters of a dress code and instead treads on bullying.
“Many struggle with weight, many suffer eating disorders, many are in the process of getting fit, many just plain enjoy their bodies the way they are. That says nothing about their musical ability, which is obviously fantastic if they have been chosen to taken on a prominent leading role onstage,” she said in her response to the orchestra, which was also posted to Facebook.
“If any of the vocalists who sang this summer have any emotional issues dealing with their weight, this email could send them into a serious mental state.”
Dunitz, who has been performing with the orchestra for the past five years, goes on to claim that members of the orchestra who were not “dressed appropriately” for a show were reprimanded in the past.
“I am so disappointed to have received this email and learn that a part of my life I thought was completely safe from these ideals are not,” she said. “You’ve very much alienated your vocalists with your appalling words and not everyone is going to be self-confident enough to let you know how much you’ve crossed a line.”
Touted as specializing in providing “professional musicians for the upscale market,” the orchestra is comprised of more than 100 vocalists and musicians from Canada and around the world.
According to their press kit, 30 per cent of all their performance fees are donated to international charities including UNICEF, World Vision, Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders.
To date, the group claims it has raised more than $1.5 million for such organizations.
But late in the afternoon on Thursday, the management from Sheraton Cadwell sent NEWSTALK1010 an update, saying they would be closing their doors because of the controversy.
Dear Members:
In consideration of recent events in our personal lives, we hope that you would accept our notice of resignation with immediate effect.
With our resignation, our financial funding for the SHERATON CADWELL community service project & music training program will also be terminated forthwith with much regret and, as such, the entire organisation will cease to exist in due course.
We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent.
It would be much appreciated if you would kindly help us dispose of, or recycle, all music folders & sheet music currently under your custodial care - on our behalf - as we will no longer have any use for them henceforth.
The pleasure & privilege has been ours to have had your good company over the last 14+ years.
Together, our various orchestral teams have done a lot of good work for less fortunate souls around the world and here, at home.
And like all good things, this particular humanitarian/charitable project has to also one day come to an end.
All of our corporate objectives/goals were achieved many years ago with your gracious voluntary contributions and kind indulgences.
As a corporate entity, we blossomed like a transient pretty little wild flower in the vast unforgiving Canadian wilderness over the years and served our purpose to our Creator for a long time with much humility, joy and good humour.
So now, with much sadness & sorrow in our hearts, it is time to accept & celebrate the inevitable passing/demise of yet another beautiful thing/experience in our lives.
Best wishes to you & your loved ones, as always!
The Management
(with files from CTV news)