When I began my employment with Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, there were close to 20 foreigners working here. Most of them were Russian, but there was also someone from New Zealand, Poland, four Americans (3 of whom hadn’t arrived yet), one from Australia, and one from Turkey. Over time we added to our mix one Ukrainian and a German percussionist.
As of today we have lost 3 Americans, the Australian, the Kiwi (New Zealand), the person from Poland, and the Ukrainian, in addition to one Russian who had been here 8 years. Except for the Australian and Kiwi whose contracts expired, everyone else has quit out of exasperation and desperation with the way the orchestra management was treating them. One of two things happened. Some were put into a position where they had no choice but to quit. They were threatened with having their contracts terminated for refusing to accept the senseless and grueling schedule imposed on us. Others resigned out of utter exasperation at not being given adequate redress of grievances. The orchestra management either refused to speak with us or told outright lies to our faces, making promises they had no intention of keeping, all the while feigning ignorance at having made the promises to begin with.
The last of the Americans resigned today. I am keeping them anonymous for their (and my) protection, but they have gracefully given me permission to publish their letter of resignation. This is how SSO gets rid of its foreigners. Enjoy:
“Sun, June 24th 2007
[To the management,]
I respectfully requested not to play the concert on Monday, June 25th. Mr. Nie Bing [the personnel manager] threatened that if I don’t play the concert on Monday, June 25th … my contract will be [summarily ended]. My wish was to not play this music which [is damaging to] my lips under the abusive conductor ….
In a meeting with the [general] manager of the orchestra, I was promised … they would get a translator that could actually speak English. They [also] promised to give me a schedule a week in advance. It seems that those were lies. I was told about Monday’s [June 25th] performance on Saturday night. That is not one week in advance … [but] less than 2 days in advance. I asked a highly qualified translator to request an interview for the position of translator, … [but] the management told [them] that they are not looking for a translator.
I have never been more disappointed in my life. I am an artist, a musician, and deserve to be treated [as such] …. I do not respond well to threats of canceling my contract. I feel I have every right to not want to work this concert. If that means losing my job … so be it. You people do not want me here, and you have made that abundantly clear. I am happily leaving this orchestra with a very low opinion of Chinese professionalism. I will report this organization, and make sure that people know everything that has happened to me. My suggestion is to stop hiring foreigners if you do not know how to treat them.
<name omitted>”
Technorati Tags: Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, China, Chinese orchestras, working in China, expats in China, classical music
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