Developed by Unbound Symphony, in partnership with the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC). Survey authored by Katie A. Berglof.
WHY WE ARE DOING THIS SURVEY
Research has already established that sexual harassment and gender discrimination are widespread in the orchestral profession, that freelance musicians are the most vulnerable, and that very few incidents are ever reported. What no one has measured is what comes next: where harm actually happens, how many musicians quietly turn down work to stay safe, whether colleagues know how to step in for one another, and whether musicians know their rights and options. Those are the questions this survey asks because they are the questions that tell organizations like ours, and orchestras across the country, what to actually do.
The findings will shape Unbound Symphony's own advocacy, resources, outreach, and initiatives, inform KCSARC's work, and contribute to a growing body of research the whole field can build on.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This survey is for people who currently work, or have previously worked, as musicians in a professional or pre-professional capacity, regardless of how you identify. That includes musicians across a range of employment situations, such as:
*Primarily freelance / independent contractor
*Salaried or tenured with an orchestra or institution
*Part-time salaried with some freelance work
*Students and emerging professionals
Experiences of witnessing, reporting, or responding to harassment and discrimination are just as important to us as direct personal experiences. All perspectives are welcome.
YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VOLUNTARY
Taking this survey is entirely your choice. You may stop at any point. There is no penalty for choosing not to participate. Every question includes a "Prefer not to say" option, please use it if needed rather than leaving a question blank, as your complete response helps us build the most accurate picture possible.
YOUR RESPONSES ARE ANONYMOUS
The survey takes about 8–10 minutes. Some questions ask whether you have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or retaliation in professional music settings. You are only ever asked whether something occurred, never for details. Even so, these topics can bring up difficult feelings. Please take care of yourself as you go.
SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE
Free, confidential support is available wherever you live, whether or not something happened recently:
KCSARC, our partner on this survey, serves the Seattle and King County area:
*24-hour Resource Line: 1-888-99-VOICE (1-888-998-6423)
*Online: kcsarc.org
*Reaching out to KCSARC is completely independent of this survey and of Unbound Symphony. Nothing you share with them comes back to us.
If you are based elsewhere, the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, offers free, confidential support 24/7 and connects you with resources in your own state:
*Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
*Text: "HOPE" to 64673
*Online: rainn.org
*Reaching out for support is completely independent of this survey and of Unbound Symphony.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE RESULTS
Survey data will be stored securely and analyzed by Unbound Symphony in partnership with KCSARC. We will share aggregate findings publicly, along with our methodology, so that other orchestras, presenters, unions, and researchers can build on this work - and so that we can become better advocates for the musicians we serve. This research is sponsored by Unbound Symphony; we have no commercial interest in the outcome, and we will report what the data shows - including findings that may be uncomfortable for our own field.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about the survey, how your responses are protected, or how findings will be used, you are welcome to contact us at contact@unboundsymphony.org
Please share our survey link:
https://www.unboundsymphony.org/survey
