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[UPDATE] CEO and President of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Hyun-jung Park Accused of Sexual Harassment, Holds Press Conference, Accuses Art Director Myung-Whun Chung of Staging A Coup

Tensions continue to rise in Seoul as president and CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Hyun-jung Park, who was recently accused of sexually harassing and verbally abusing her employees, goes head to head with art director and principle conductor Myung-Whun Chung, who she claims is organizing a coup against her.Park, who held a press conference Friday, Dec. 5, denied allegations and accused Chung of starting a petition for her removal. She shared that there were documents from audits that track the director's unethical activities and listed four different cases of complaints about his conduct. At the press conference, she personally listed cases where she believed Chung had abused his authoritative power.These statements come on the tail of recent allegations made against Park’s unethical behavior. Hyun Jung Park made history when she became the first female president and CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in February 2013.But 17 of the Seoul Philharmonic’s employees testified in a petition that Park constantly abused them, with one male employee claiming that she had too much to drink at a public dinner gathering and grabbed him by the necktie, attempting to touch his genitals. Three female employees said Park suggested they offer themselves sexually, telling one she would be a good hostess and the other two that they should sit next to important male guests and accommodate their needs.Many employees said she would often swear at them, threaten to deduct money from their paychecks and say things such as, “You should sell your organs to make up for corporate losses.” She has also been accused of unethical hiring and promoting decisions, basing career advancement on connections rather than merit.
By Jaime Prisco

  • From Cameron Carpenter to Walt Disney, 'Hurricane Mama' Exists in an Organ Genre All Its Own

    The organ's sonic capacity to blow out your eardrums is uncanny. Quite possibly the loudest sound on the planet, the Disney organ — affectionately named "Hurricane Mama" by Terry Riley — is of the echelon. So like Cameron Carpenter's most idiosyncratic International Touring Organ, it resonates beyond compare.Cameron Carpenter was recently laughed at on the late night show "@midnight." Guest like Chris Delia coined a new title for the flamboyant musician: "Future Uber Driver."While Cameron might be the butt of the joke, his chops at the sticks is unparalleled. A most resounding musician, he is internationally heralded for his unique talent and expert concoctions on the pipes.But the organ is like a musical skeleton, using breath like the human body to resonate through vocal channels and reverberate off bone. The Disney organ, designed by builder Manuel Rosales and architect Frank Gehry, is a wooden ensemble of pipes that produce an unusual texture and color unlike many of its kind — if any even exist in the same arena.
    By Ian Holubiak

  • Violinist Lindsey Stirling Is the Focus of Ovation's Music Documentary Series 'Song by Song'

    Internet sensation and billboard topper Lindsey Stirling was the focus of "Song by Song," a documentary music series which premiered on Ovation TV Tuesday, Dec. 9. The first part of the two-part episode featured her song “Crystallize” while an episode on Dec. 16 will focus on another chart-topper: “Elements.”Known as an electronic violinist, dancer and composer, the Gilbert, Arizona, native first rose to popularity after her appearance on the incredibly popular "America’s Got Talent" in 2010. Though she did not win the competition, the exposure helped her to become a YouTube sensation in 2012, when her song “Crystallize” became one of the top 10 most-watched videos of the year, with more than 42 million views and more than 5.5 million subscribers.The series takes an in-depth look at two of Stirling's biggest hits, with behind-the-scenes insights from renowned choreographer Laurianne Gibson; the Grammy-winning lead singer of Halestrom, Lzzy Hale; and singer-songwriter Dia Frampton, as well as "Billboard's" Andrew Hampp, "Rolling Stone's" David Wild and YouTube's Margaret Hart.Viewers will also hear intimate, behind-the-scenes stories from Stirling and her sister Brooke, as well as her drummer Drew Steen, keyboardist Jason Gaviati and tour manager Erich Jackson.
    By Jaime Prisco