Research Data on Sexual Harassment and Misconduct in the Classical Music Industry
by Katie A. Berglof
Sexual harassment and misconduct remain significant concerns across the classical music profession, affecting students, freelancers, orchestral musicians, and faculty in conservatories, universities, festivals, and professional institutions. Researchers frequently point to several structural characteristics of the field that contribute to the persistence and underreporting of misconduct.
One challenge in addressing the issue is the limited amount of comprehensive research focused specifically on the United States orchestral and classical music sector. While surveys and policy studies exist, much of the more extensive academic work examining harassment and power dynamics in classical music has been conducted in other countries, particularly in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe such as Finland. These studies provide valuable insight into patterns of misconduct within music institutions, but they also highlight a broader gap in systematic research within the American orchestral field.
Classical music education and employment often rely on highly hierarchical mentorship systems, where students and emerging artists depend heavily on teachers, conductors, and senior musicians for recommendations, auditions, and career advancement. The profession also places considerable emphasis on prestige, reputation, and institutional visibility, which can create incentives for organizations to protect prominent figures whose status helps attract donors, audiences, and financial support.
In addition, the culture of classical music has historically encouraged forms of hero worship around celebrated conductors, soloists, and pedagogues, concentrating authority in individuals whose influence over hiring, casting, and professional advancement can be substantial. Combined with the freelance nature of much orchestral work, informal hiring networks, and the competitive reputation driven structure of the field, these dynamics can make reporting misconduct particularly risky for musicians who depend on professional relationships and institutional endorsement to sustain their careers.
Another factor frequently identified in discussions of misconduct within the field is the pressure placed on musicians, particularly women and early career artists, to remain silent. Musicians who raise concerns about harassment or discrimination may fear professional retaliation, loss of future work, or reputational damage in a small and interconnected industry. As a result, many incidents go unreported, and conversations about misconduct have historically been difficult for institutions to confront openly.
Despite these barriers, a growing number of surveys, academic studies, and policy reports have begun to document patterns of harassment, discrimination, and underreporting across the music profession, offering an important foundation for ongoing efforts to improve safety, accountability, and transparency within the classical music field.
Major Research and Surveys on Harassment in Music and Classical Music
Musicians’ Union Research on Harassment in Music Workplaces (Published in 2019)
One of the most widely cited surveys on sexual harassment in the music profession conducted by the Musicians Union in the UK.
Main Page:
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/campaigns/end-sexual-harassment-at-work
Key findings
• 48 percent of musicians reported experiencing sexual harassment at work
• 85 percent of victims did not report the incident
• 61 percent believe freelancers are at greater risk of harassment
These findings come from a survey of professional musicians conducted by the Musicians’ Union. Here is a list of UK orchestras MU members play in:
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/about-the-mu/how-the-mu-works/music-industry-sectors/orchestra-sector
Musicians’ Census (Published in 2024)
One of the largest surveys ever conducted of working musicians. This census was also done through the Musicians Union in the UK.
Key findings
• 33 percent of women reported being sexually harassed while working as musicians
• 25 percent reported witnessing harassment in the industry
• 51 percent of women reported experiencing gender discrimination
The Musicians’ Census surveyed more than 5,800 musicians.
Parliamentary Evidence on Misogyny and Harassment in the Music Industry (Reported in 2022)
The Musicians Union in the UK was called upon to do a snapshot survey of evidence of misogyny and sexism in the industry.
https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/110064/html/
Key findings cited in government evidence
• 48 percent of musicians reported experiencing sexual harassment
• 58 percent reported witnessing harassment
• Many victims reported fear of professional repercussions as a barrier to reporting
The evidence highlights the impact of freelance employment structures and industry culture on reporting behavior.
UK Parliamentary Report on Misogyny in Music (Women and Equalities Committee) (Published in 2024)
Web report
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/573/report.html
Full PDF report
https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/48117/documents/251887/default/
This report was published by the UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee following a formal inquiry into misogyny and discrimination in the music industry. The inquiry gathered testimony from musicians, unions, advocacy groups, and industry professionals to examine systemic barriers and workplace misconduct across the sector.
Key findings highlighted in the report include:
• Evidence of widespread sexism, harassment, and discrimination across the music industry
• Structural issues in freelance and reputation driven careers that make reporting misconduct difficult
• Concerns that power imbalances between senior figures and emerging musicians can create environments where harassment goes unchecked
• Testimony indicating that many musicians fear career retaliation or loss of work if they report misconduct
The report concludes that misogyny and harassment remain significant challenges within the music profession and calls for stronger institutional accountability, better reporting mechanisms, and improved protections for musicians working in freelance and performance based careers.
ISM “Dignity at Work” Report on Discrimination in the Music Sector (Published in 2018)
The Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK’s largest non-union representative body for professional musicians. Founded in 1882, the ISM champions the importance of music and protects the rights of those working in the music sector.
https://www.ism.org/dignity-at-work-2-discrimination-in-the-music-sector/
Key findings
• 62 percent of respondents reported experiencing discrimination in the music profession
• 58 percent of discrimination described in the survey would qualify as sexual harassment
The report focuses primarily on musicians working in classical and professional music settings.
Field Resources and Documentation Projects
We Had No Idea Project (Established in 2025)
https://we-had-no-idea.org/
The We Had No Idea project is an independent documentation initiative that collects publicly reported cases of sexual misconduct in classical music. The site compiles documented allegations, institutional responses, and patterns of misconduct in the field in order to highlight systemic issues and encourage transparency.
While it is not a statistical survey, the project serves as a field resource documenting patterns of misconduct across classical music institutions and educational settings.
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Queen of Filth Digests
https://katherineneedleman.com/queen-of-filth-digests
The Queen of Filth Digests, created by oboist and writer Katherine Needleman, compile anonymized messages and stories submitted by musicians describing experiences of harassment, sexism, and discrimination in classical music environments. The digests were created after musicians began sharing their experiences with Needleman following public discussions of misconduct in the field.
The project serves as a community archive of first hand accounts from musicians, documenting a wide range of experiences from gender discrimination and harassment to broader issues involving power dynamics in orchestras, conservatories, and freelance performance settings.
While the digests are not a formal research survey, they illustrate the volume and diversity of reported experiences circulating within the profession and contribute to broader conversations about culture and accountability in classical music.
Final Note: Widely Cited Statistics
One thing I’d like to note is that several statistics that consistently appear across multiple studies and reports are the following:
• Nearly half of musicians report experiencing sexual harassment at work
Source
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/campaigns/end-sexual-harassment-at-work
• One in three women musicians report sexual harassment in the industry
Source
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/musicians-census-finds-over-half-of-women-in-music-have-experienced-gender-discrimination
• More than four out of five victims do not report harassment due to fear of professional repercussions
Source
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/campaigns/end-sexual-harassment-at-work