Fired Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) conductor and music director Rosemary Thomson is suing her former employer.
A civil claim filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Dec. 21, also names Okanagan Symphony Society (OSS) President Judy Burns and stage manager Timothy Watson.
The claim alleges the OSS was in breach of contract, breach of its duties, and that it failed to act in good faith.
害羞草研究所淭he society purported to terminate the agreement on the grounds that the plaintiff has acted in a manner detrimental to the best interests of the society,害羞草研究所� it reads in part.
The claim contains several allegations by the OSS including that Thomson held up a Nov. concert by 15-minutes, was late to rehearsals, and showed poor preparation and time management.
Thomson refutes the allegations stating they relate to a concert programme titled 害羞草研究所淎mplify害羞草研究所�, created to meet the society害羞草研究所檚 goals of leadership in the development and decolonization of the society害羞草研究所檚 art form, as well as engaging new and diverse audiences.
The claim also states Thomson went above and beyond the scope of duties for the programme and alleges the society failed to provide administrative support, and clear direction and feedback despite requests to do so.
According to the court documents, it is alleged that Burns disclosed inaccurate or incomplete information, and failed to provide information, to society board members necessary to evaluate Thomson害羞草研究所檚 performance.
Other allegations include Thomson being the primary cause of financial difficulties at the society, and that other issues were not related to her diagnosis of ADHD but the result of personal failings.
In 2021, Thomson was the subject of a documentary titled Shiny Objects: The Conductor with ADHD.
She was diagnosed with ADHD in 2020 after the pandemic led to a dive in her mental health, according to the documentary.
It害羞草研究所檚 also alleged that Burns 害羞草研究所渢ook steps outside her mandate as president of the board to seek to persuade the board not to renew the plaintiff害羞草研究所檚 contract.害羞草研究所�
The claim further alleges that Watson falsely and maliciously spoke and published information concerning conduct by Thomson.
The documents claim Thomson has suffered anxiety, humiliation, and embarrassment due to a loss of personal and professional reputation.
A loss of a contractually owed fee of $6,680 per month for nine months, from Dec. 2023 to Aug. 2024, as well as general and special damages and Thomson害羞草研究所檚 reinstatement as music director, are being sought in the claim.
The defendants have not yet responded to the claims. None of the allegations have yet been challenged in court.
Thomson was employed by the OSO from 2008 until Nov. 2023.
The public became aware of her termination after an internal email intended for OSS members was released on Dec. 6, 2023.
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