We, the undersigned, members of the Lake County community and supporters of and/or participants in the Lake County Community and Youth Orchestra (LCCYO), are deeply concerned about the current leadership of Dr. Camm Linden. Under her directorship, long-term orchestra members have reported experiencing an environment characterized by intimidation, harassment, lack of respect, unreasonableness, unjust exclusion, and other dictatorial leadership practices. 

Linden’s threatening and unreasonable harassment of at least one long-term orchestra member in front of her colleagues at a recent rehearsal has also directly transgressed the LCCYO’s stated Code of Conduct.  Furthermore, Linden has expressed an age-related bias in deciding to exclude a qualified elder person from playing a particular instrument because a young person already plays it. Linden has even shown a possible racial bias in her decision-making by deliberately and disrespectfully excluding a person who is possibly the LCCYO’s only Hispanic player, despite having the orchestra play Latin-influenced music, which gives the distinct appearance of both racism and cultural appropriation. The LCCYO website has also undergone notable changes to make the orchestra seem much less inclusive and welcoming than in previous years and to give Linden virtually dictatorial powers to exclude anyone she wants to and to apply a new Code of Conduct, apparently to anyone but herself. 

All of this has significantly adversely impacted the morale, cohesion, and artistic spirit of the orchestra. We believe that a community orchestra should foster creativity, mutual respect, and a nurturing environment, where every musician—regardless of age, ancestry, or experience—feels valued and empowered to do their best. Unfortunately, the current hostile atmosphere in the LCCYO under Linden's leadership has led to discontent, fear, unfair exclusion, and a decline in the orchestra’s internal harmony. 

Therefore, we respectfully request the following:

1. A review of Dr. Camm Linden’s leadership: We ask the Lake County Symphony Association’s (LCSA) board of directors to investigate the grievances raised by orchestra members and community stakeholders regarding Linden’s dictatorial and unreasonable management style and her aforementioned hostile and discriminatory behavior in violation of the LCCYO’s Code of Conduct, and to rationally assess whether Linden’s leadership and behavior truly align with the values and mission of the LCCYO and the LCSA.
2. The establishment of clear leadership standards: We call for the introduction of LCCYO leadership practices that promote inclusivity, collaboration, and respect for all orchestra members to help create a safer space for young and adult community musicians alike. Appropriate checks and balances at LCCYO rehearsals and performances, combined with a clear, effective, and communicative LCSA Board decision review procedure, should be installed to prevent problematic dictatorial behavior from arising again.
3. Invitation to Harassed and Excluded LCCYO Members: We ask that all current and former LCCYO members who have been harassed into leaving or deliberately excluded by Linden be invited to participate again in the LCCYO.
4. Installing new leadership: If the investigation finds that Linden’s leadership does not support the sustainability of the LCCYO and the welfare of its members, we request her prompt removal and the appointment of a new director and conductor who can lead the orchestra with integrity, kindness, and a focus on the musical and personal growth of the entire LCCYO musician community.
    

We truly value the role the LCCYO plays in our community and want to ensure that it remains a thriving, welcoming, and artistically fulfilling space for all of its member musicians. By signing this petition, we express our support for a leadership change, reconciliation with members who were harassed or excluded by Linden, and a better future for the LCCYO.

A peaceful protest event asking for Camm Linden's removal will be held at each LCCYO rehearsal at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport from 3:30-6pm until appropriate action is taken. Please bring a drum or other acoustic instrument if you can. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1443404516294004
and here: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/739442174978005/

If the matter remains unresolved, a protest will also be held at the upcoming September 22nd LCCYO performance at the same location from 1:30 pm onwards. Here is the link to that performance: https://soperreesetheatre.com/events/pianists-benefit-concert-652-842-851-783-115-184