by Monique Buzzarté
as published in the February 1997 issue of the IAWM Journal, page 21.
Readers of William Osborne's article, "Art Is Just an Excuse," in the October 1996 IAWM Journal will recall that the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra still prohibits women from orchestral membership. The IAWM has taken a public position on this issue by sending out more than 200 letters of protest to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Austrian officials, classical music presenters, and the media. (The text of the letters follows this report.)
Now it is your turn. If you are outraged that such blatant discrimination against women still exists in 1997, the IAWM encourages you to take action: write a letter, attend a demonstration, educate others, or organize a grassroots campaign in your community.
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing concerts in the United States in March 1997 (March 4 & 5 in Costa Mesa, CA, and March 7, 8 & 9 in New York, NY). Ask the presenters why they chose to promote such a sexist orchestra, and urge them to refrain from engaging orchestras which discriminate. Call on the press to investigate how and why such overt discrimination occurs. Publicize and participate in peaceful demonstrations of protest. Voice your opinions by contacting:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Chairman: Professor Werner Resel
Boesendorferstrasse 12
A-1010 Vienna, Austria
tel:: +43 1 505 65 25
fax: +43 1 505 92 20
email: wresel@philharmoniker.vienna.at
Jane Grier, President of the Board
Dean Corey, Executive Director
Philharmonic Society of Orange County
2082 Business Center Drive, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92715-1113
tel: (714) 553-2422
fax: (714) 553-2421
email: psmail@ocartsnet.org
Isaac Stern, President
Judith Arron, Executive Director
Carnegie Hall Corporation
881 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212) 903-9600
Fax: (212) 581-6539
email: feedback@carnegiehall.org
Letters to the Editor
New York Times
229 W. 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
email: letters@nytimes.com
Letters to the Editor
Los Angeles Times
Times Mirror Square
Los Angeles, CA 90053
email: letters@latimes.com
Media coverage of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's discriminatory practices has exploded since our letters were mailed in December, 1996. By mid-January the story that the IAWM had protested the orchestra's policies was headline news in Austria, and resulted in numerous articles, feature stories and radio interviews. After a segment on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" mentioned the role our advocacy efforts played in in Austria, media interest within the United States began to rapidly escalate. We now have a unique opportunity to showcase to the general public the creative achievements of all women in music. To date the IAWM has been joined by local chapters of the National Organization for Women (NYC-NOW and South Orange Coast NOW), along with Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians (Greater New York) as sponsors of demonstrations supporting women musicians. Let us celebrate together the contributions of women musicians, past, present, and future. Show your support by attending peaceful demonstrations outside the concert hall before the concerts, and encouraging all those who deplore discrimination-of whatever type-to join with you.
For futher information, or to confirm your participation, contact:
Protests in Southern California on March 4 & 5, 1997
Nora Graham, West Coast Protest Coordinator
Tel: (213) 874-4545
Fax: (213) 874-3013
E-mail: norazg@aol.com
South Coast Orange County NOW: (714) 497-1709
Protests in New York City on March 7, 8 & 9, 1997
Monique Buzzarté, East Coast Protest Coordinator
Tel: (212) 942-6024
Fax: (212) 942-5014
E-mail: buzzarte@dorsai.org
[Updated: monique@buzzarte.org - MB]
NYC-NOW: (212) 260-4422
• ZAPVPO e-mail list (to subscribe, send a message to: • The VPO Watch web page • Or from Monique Buzzarté directly: phone (212) 942-6024, fax (212) 942-5014, or SSAE to 110 Seaman Avenue #5L, New York, NY 10034.