Toronto orchestra shuts down after telling singers they must be ‘fit and slim’
A Toronto-based organization that provides music for live events has decided to shut down after an insulting email sent to vocalists went viral.
Sydney Dunitz, a now former member of Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras shared screenshots of the email on her Facebook page where it quickly accrued more than 600 shares.
“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,” said the email. “…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.”
“Kindly note that for all future shows … 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 also notes that the instrumental musicians do not need to look “physically fit and slim since they are essentially background wallpaper.”
ALSO SEE: Principal tells girls not to wear leggings ‘unless you are a size 0 or 2’
Outraged at the email that essentially picked on two of the vocalists for not being slim, Dunitz, who had been with the company for five years, fired back, calling them out on their bullying words.
“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,” she told the orchestra via email. “That says nothing about their musical ability, which is obviously fantastic if they have been chosen to take on a prominent leading role onstage. 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.”
ALSO SEE: Fans beg Mariah Carey to stop Photoshopping her body
“I deal with women’s body issues and self-consciousness,” she continued. “For me to receive an email like that — which blatantly goes against everything I do, everything I believe in — was quite an undercut and it was quite shocking.”
Dunitz received a two line “standard response” to her email, but due to massive negative response, the executive of Sheraton Cadwell resigned and the company will fold.
A resignation letter was sent to members on Thursday afternoon:
“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.”
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
