Image copyright Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras / Vimeo Image caption Victoria Leone performing with the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras in Toronto

A Toronto orchestra has shut down after "fat-shaming" volunteer singers who wore body-hugging dresses.

The Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras asked women who were not "fit & slim" to use loose dresses that hide their "dietary indulgences".

Many singers who had performed with the symphony expressed disgust at the email.

The management has since apologised and resigned, telling singers the orchestra would no longer be funded.

The controversy began on Monday when singer Victoria Leone, 23, received an email from Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras that left her astonished.

Image copyright Sydney Dunitz /Facebook Image caption Email from Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras

"Although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim - the way our boutique orchestra would like our front line performing artists to be… two of our featured singers were not," the email read.

"We hope that they would, as such, refrain from using tight-fitting dresses and use loose (less physically-revealing, less physically-accentuating) dresses instead."

The email went on at length to detail that they were only concerned with vocalists, not instrumentalists, because instrumentalists were "background".

Ms Leone had performed with the orchestra once two weeks beforehand as a volunteer at a local street festival.

She told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that as someone who was bullied as a child for being a bit "curvy", she felt personally attacked.

The email, which was signed by "the management", also said that in the future, only "fit and slim" women would be hired.

Image copyright Victoria Leone/ Facebook Image caption Victoria Leone is a jazz singer who says she felt targeted by an orchestra's body-shaming email

"As per our highly selective casting requirements for vocal artists taking on a prominent leading role on stage, only singers who are physically fit and slim (or at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras."

Ms Leone says she sent an email back to the orchestra, expressing her frustration and quitting the organisation.

Instead of apologising, she said they simply thanked her for her time and asked her to reread certain parts about dressing less revealingly, which it highlighted in red.

After news of this message went public, and many other singers complained, the management sent her a follow-up email notifying her that the orchestra would be shutting down.

"We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent," the email read.

Speaking to the CBC, Ms Leone said she did not feel like that was the apology she was looking for.

"It does suck for all the young women, all the young girls who are trying to aspire to anything," she said.</s>A Toronto orchestra group that sent an email to its vocalists saying only “fit and slim” singers would be showcased at its boutique performances has announced its management team has immediately resigned.

“With our resignation, our financial funding for the Sheraton Cadwell community service project and music training program will also be terminated forthwith with much regret and, as such, the entire organisation (sic) will cease to exist in due course,” an email from “the management” of Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras sent to Global News affiliate station AM640 Thursday afternoon read.

“We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent.”

READ MORE: Only ‘fit and slim’ singers will be showcased in boutique performances: Toronto orchestra email

It’s not clear who wrote the email or who specifically resigned.

The statement comes after singers shared an email with Global News Wednesday that came from Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras outlining expectations for singers.

“While our orchestra do not require our instrumental musicians to look physically fit and slim since they are essentially background wallpaper, kindly be reminded that we have a different expectation from the singers that we selectively choose to feature in our live shows, for our own purposes and at our discretion,” it said in part.

“As per our highly selective casting requirements for vocal artists taking on a prominent leading role on stage, only singers who are physically fit and slim (or at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras.”

When asked for comment on the email and accusations of body shaming, Global News received a brief response Wednesday night only saying, “This is to acknowledge that your email has been with much regret. We hope that you will accept our sincere apologies.”

In Thursday’s statement, it said the organization met “all of [it’s] corporate objectives/goals … many years ago” and the project is ending.

“As a corporate entity, we blossomed like a transient pretty little wild flower in the vast unforgiving Canadian wilderness over the years and served our purpose to our Creator for a long time with much humility, joy and good humour,” the statement read.

READ MORE: Online body shaming trends paint unrealistic image of ‘perfect’ body

“So now, with much sadness and sorrow in our hearts, it is time to accept and celebrate the inevitable passing/demise of yet another beautiful thing/experience in our lives.”

Victoria Leone, a vocalist who did one performance under the orchestra, was one of the singers Global News spoke with about the email and said she left the organization because of it, calling the email “highly inappropriate.”

Leone said Thursday she received the resignation email.

“It was very disappointing to hear that they feel our discussion about the body-shaming situation was a ‘malicious and evil’ attempt at shutting down the organization,” she said.

“This was never the intent from any of the girls who’ve spoken out and I feel that all we simply wanted was a sincere apology.”

With files from Dave Woodard and Alana Macleod</s>It was over before the ladies who weren’t “physically fit” could sing.

A Toronto orchestra was forced to shut down after receiving backlash for telling overweight performers to stop wearing “tight-fitting dresses.”

The announcement came after performers received an email Tuesday from the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra management that said that only “physically fit and slim” singers would be featured in shows, according to the Global News.

“As per our highly selective casting requirements for vocal artists taking on a prominent leading role on stage, only singers who are physically fit and slim (or at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras,” the email said.

The email quickly went viral after singer Sydney Dunitz slammed the orchestra on Facebook for body-shaming.

“I am absolutely disgusted with this email that was sent to me and the other vocalists who sing with this particular orchestra,” she said.

In light of the scandal, the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra said Thursday that several board members had resigned and the organization would soon shutter its doors.

“With our resignation, our financial funding for the Sheraton Cadwell community service project and music training program will also be terminated forthwith with much regret and, as such, the entire organization will cease to exist in due course,” the statement said, according to the Global News.

In the email, the orchestra went on to blame the negative publicity on people with “evil intent.”

“We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent,” the group said in the email to performers.

Vocalist Victoria Leone said that she was unsatisfied with the orchestra’s response and called the email “highly inappropriate.”

“It was very disappointing to hear that they feel our discussion about the body-shaming situation was a ‘malicious and evil’ attempt at shutting down the organization,” she told the Global News.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post</s>TORONTO — A Toronto organization providing live musical entertainment for events came under fire after an email from its management suggested it would only feature vocalists who are "fit and slim'' in its boutique orchestras.

Sydney Dunitz, who said she has worked as a volunteer vocalist with Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras for about five years, said she received the email on Monday night and posted a screen shot of it on Facebook, where it has since been shared more than 600 times.

"It has been brought to our attention that although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim — the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line performing artists to be — two of our featured singers were not,'' the email Dunitz received said.

"Kindly note that for all future shows ... only singers who are physically fit and slim (or, at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras.''

The email also said the organization doesn't have the same expectations of instrumental musicians because they are "essentially background wallpaper.''

Dunitz said she was shocked by the email, which she said goes beyond the parameters of a dress code.

The Toronto resident, who also owns and works at a fitness studio, said she felt compelled to speak out because she tries to enforce body positivity at work every day.

"I deal with women's body issues and self-consciousness,'' she said. "For me to receive an email like that — which blatantly goes against everything I do, everything I believe in — was quite an undercut and it was quite shocking.''

She noted that a performer's weight says nothing about their musical ability.

Orchestra says it will shut down

When asked for comment, Sheraton Cadwell said in an email that its management was resigning and that the organization would be shutting down. It wasn't clear if the reason the company was shutting down was related to the email Dunitz received.

"In consideration of recent events in our personal lives, we hope that you would accept our notice of resignation with immediate effect,'' the email addressed to its members said.

Incorporated in 1991, the company said it provides musicians to perform at weddings, corporate functions and other events around the city.</s>A Toronto-area orchestra ensemble is being accused of bullying and body-shaming after a now-public email from its management asserted that only “physically fit and slim” vocalists would be allowed to perform with them.

Sydney Dunitz, a now former vocalist with the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra, posted a copy of the email on Facebook Tuesday night. The post has since accumulated more than 500 shares.

In the email, signed by “The Management,” the orchestra outlines concerns about the physicality of two members of their vocalist ensemble.

“It has been brought to our attention that although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim – the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line performing artists to be – two of our featured singers were not,” it reads.

“And we hope that they would, as such, refrain from using tight-fitting dresses and use loose (less physically-revealing, less physically-accentuating) dresses instead.”

The email goes on to say that while being “physically fit and slim” is not required of their “instrumental musicians” because they are “essentially background wallpaper,” there are more stringent expectations for their vocalists.

Management then suggests that those vocalists deemed physically unfit will not be invited to participate in their “boutique performances” unless they dress “strategically” and unassumingly.

“Kindly note that for all future shows – as per our highly selective casting requirements for vocal artists taking on a prominent leading role on stage – only singers who are physically fit and slim (or, at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras,” the email concludes.

Dunitz said she was “disgusted” and “shocked by the email, which she called “incredibly inappropriate.”

She said the email goes beyond the parameters of a dress code and instead treads on bullying.

“Many struggle with weight, many suffer eating disorders, many are in the process of getting fit, many just plain enjoy their bodies the way they are. That says nothing about their musical ability, which is obviously fantastic if they have been chosen to taken on a prominent leading role onstage,” she said in her response to the orchestra, which was also posted to Facebook.

“If any of the vocalists who sang this summer have any emotional issues dealing with their weight, this email could send them into a serious mental state.”

Dunitz, who has been performing with the orchestra for the past five years, goes on to claim that members of the orchestra who were not “dressed appropriately” for a show were reprimanded in the past.

“I am so disappointed to have received this email and learn that a part of my life I thought was completely safe from these ideals are not,” she said. “You’ve very much alienated your vocalists with your appalling words and not everyone is going to be self-confident enough to let you know how much you’ve crossed a line.”

Touted as specializing in providing “professional musicians for the upscale market,” the orchestra is comprised of more than 100 vocalists and musicians from Canada and around the world.

According to their press kit, 30 per cent of all their performance fees are donated to international charities including UNICEF, World Vision, Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders.

To date, the group claims it has raised more than $1.5 million for such organizations.

When asked for comment Wednesday, a spokesperson from Sheraton Cadwell responded to CP24 via a brief email.

“This is to acknowledge that your email has been met with much regret,” it reads. “We hope that you will accept our sincere apologies.”

Requests for comment from the Dunitz, who posted the emails to Facebook, were not returned by time of publication.

A recent update to Dunitz’s original Facebook post indicates that she has since received an apology from Sheraton Cadwell.

“From what news affiliates have told me, it seems to be the general media response,” she said in the post. “I am upset at both this general dismissal and lack of detail.”</s>A Toronto-area orchestra ensemble that was accused of body-shaming after a now-public email from its management asserted that only “physically fit and slim” vocalists would be allowed to perform has decided to shut down.

Sydney Dunitz, a now former vocalist with the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra, posted a copy of the email on Facebook Tuesday night. The post has since accumulated more than 500 shares.

In the email, signed by “The Management,” the orchestra outlines concerns about the physicality of two members of their vocalist ensemble.

“It has been brought to our attention that although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim – the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line performing artists to be – two of our featured singers were not,” it reads.

“And we hope that they would, as such, refrain from using tight-fitting dresses and use loose (less physically-revealing, less physically-accentuating) dresses instead.”

The email goes on to say that while being “physically fit and slim” is not required of their “instrumental musicians” because they are “essentially background wallpaper,” there are more stringent expectations for their vocalists.

Management then suggests that those vocalists deemed physically unfit will not be invited to participate in their “boutique performances” unless they dress “strategically” and unassumingly.

“Kindly note that for all future shows – as per our highly selective casting requirements for vocal artists taking on a prominent leading role on stage – only singers who are physically fit and slim (or, at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras,” the email concludes.

In the wake of controversy and media scrutiny generated by the message, the executive of the orchestra resigned Thursday and said the organization would fold.

“We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent,” a resignation letter distributed Thursday afternoon read.

Dunitz said she was “disgusted” and “shocked" by the email, which she called “incredibly inappropriate.”

She said the email goes beyond the parameters of a dress code and instead treads on bullying.

“Many struggle with weight, many suffer eating disorders, many are in the process of getting fit, many just plain enjoy their bodies the way they are. That says nothing about their musical ability, which is obviously fantastic if they have been chosen to taken on a prominent leading role onstage,” she said in her response to the orchestra, which was also posted to Facebook.

“If any of the vocalists who sang this summer have any emotional issues dealing with their weight, this email could send them into a serious mental state.”

Dunitz, who has been performing with the orchestra for the past five years, goes on to claim that members of the orchestra who were not “dressed appropriately” for a show were reprimanded in the past.

“I am so disappointed to have received this email and learn that a part of my life I thought was completely safe from these ideals are not,” she said. “You’ve very much alienated your vocalists with your appalling words and not everyone is going to be self-confident enough to let you know how much you’ve crossed a line.”

Touted as specializing in providing “professional musicians for the upscale market,” the orchestra is comprised of more than 100 vocalists and musicians from Canada and around the world.

According to their press kit, 30 per cent of all their performance fees are donated to international charities including UNICEF, World Vision, Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders.

To date, the group claims it has raised more than $1.5 million for such organizations.

“I deal with women and self-consciousness and body positivity every single day, so to have this sent to me was actually a strange move on everybody’s part,” Dunitz, who runs a women’s strength training gym, said.

“Obviously it hit me very hard because this is what I fight against every single day -- the subject of prejudice (and) women trying to get over all of these fears that this email hit head on.”

Dunitz has since received an apology from Sheraton Cadwell but said that it appears to be the “standard response” everyone has received.

“The concept itself is terrible,” she said. “We all know it happens but to be this blatant in telling your orchestral members that they need to be fit and slim otherwise they won’t’ be able to perform is repulsive."</s>TORONTO — A Toronto performing arts company is being accused of body shaming after an email from its management that was posted online suggested it would only feature vocalists who are physically fit and slim in its boutique orchestras.

Sydney Dunitz, who has worked as a volunteer vocalist with Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra for about five years, says she received the email on Monday night and posted a screen shot of it on Facebook, where it has since been shared more than 500 times.

In the email, the company expresses concerns about two vocalists who they say are not "fit and slim," asking that they refrain from wearing tight-fitting dresses while performing.

The email goes on to say the organization doesn't have the same expectations of instrumental musicians because they are "essentially background wallpaper."

Dunitz says she was disgusted by the email and has decided to no longer work as a vocalist with the group.

When asked for comment, Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra said in an email that its management was resigning and that the organization would be shutting down.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly said the Facebook post was shared more than 700 times.</s>On August 22, volunteer members of the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra in Toronto received an email from the organization’s management. When they opened the email, they found a warning ― not about their performance, but about singers’ body size.

In the email, uploaded to singer Sydney Dunitz’s Facebook page that same day and embedded below, two members of the orchestra’s vocal group were called out for not being “fit & slim.” Orchestra management warned that those singers should “refrain from using tight-fitting dresses” that might “bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences.”

Management went on to write that only those “fit & slim” singers would be asked to perform moving forward.

“Kindly note that for all future shows...only singers who are physically fit & slim (or, at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically/suitably in order to not bring attention to their temporary physical/dietary indulgences) would be showcased with our boutique orchestras,” management wrote in the email.

Dunitz responded to the email the next day, calling it “incredibly inappropriate,” “appalling,” and “bullying.” She asked for an apology from the organization’s management.

She also made sure that whoever wrote the email was aware of just how damaging these kinds of comments are for women struggling with their weight or body image.

“Many struggle with weight, many suffer eating disorders, many are in the process of getting fit, many just plain enjoy their bodies the way they are,” she wrote. “That says nothing about their musical ability... This email is bullying, it is dealing with well-recognized issues that many women have with their bodies. And that is not your area of expertise, that is your opinion, which I truly wish you had kept silent.” (Check out her full response below.)

According to CBC Toronto, the Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra (whose website has since been taken down) sent a follow-up email with an apology, and is now disbanding altogether.

“We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent,” representatives wrote.

The same email also included the resignation of some of the board’s 11 members (the exact number of resignations has not been reported), and in a statement to CBC Toronto, the orchestra said that “the entire organization will cease to exist in due course.”

Dunitz updated her original Facebook post to say that she’s happy the company apologized and that she spoke up about it.</s>Performers that have worked with a Toronto orchestra are speaking out after they received a shocking email asking vocalists who are not "physically fit and slim" to refrain from wearing "tight-fitting dresses."

The email, signed by Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra management, says, "...although almost all of our vocalists are fit and slim — the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line artists to be — two of our featured singers were not."

Sydney Dunitz said she had to read the email several times because she couldn't believe what she was reading.

"It came as a shock. It rather drew the blood from my face the first time I read it," said Dunitz, who immediately got in touch with other vocalists and found their reaction was mirroring hers.

The email, which was sent on Monday, reads, "Your image is our image. If you look good we do, too."

It then goes on to say the management hopes those singers would opt for "less physically accentuating dresses instead," and that in the future only singers who "know how to dress strategically" and don't bring attention to their "dietary indulgences" would be showcased.

Dunitz said she has never heard anyone she works with use language like this.

"It's disgusting, it's ridiculous and it has nothing to do with our vocals," she told CBC Toronto. "Everybody looks fantastic, dresses according to the dress code. It's astounding those words were used at all."

In an interview with CBC Toronto, another vocalist, Victoria Leone, said she emailed back the orchestra and said she did not want to be a part of it anymore.

"The first thing that came to my mind when I read it was, 'Is this directed towards me?'" she said. "In their response, they said it was a privilege and pleasure to have me in their company and if I could re-read the text in red ... and essentially they sent the same email back to me and highlighted some points."

Leone said the company also asked her "to kindly accept our sincere apology for the email attached below."

Another woman who has sung with the company said she was insulted that "especially a volunteer organization, which should really be appreciating the fact that so many musicians want to give their time for good causes," said those things.

"My heart went out to the two people targeted in the email," said Kristina Bijelic. "Just the fact that in an email that went out to everybody ... the writer would call them out in such an aggressive way."

Bijelic said staff was sent another email Thursday afternoon saying "we hope that you would accept our notice of resignation with immediate effect."

"We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent," it read.

The orchestra board has 11 members, but it is unclear how many have chosen to resign.

Leone said she's very upset with the resignation.

"I cannot believe they are turning the story of our embarrassment and fat-shaming that we have shared with the public and deeming it 'evil intent,'" she said.

Dunitz, who also owns and works at a fitness studio, said the management's words can seriously impact the self-esteem of people, particularly women.

"Some people have spoken up and said the email affected them and they deal with weight issues and self-consciousness," she said.

Dunitz said she's had a positive relationship with the orchestra for the past few years, which is what prompted her to also write back saying the email was "incredibly inappropriate" and that "this is not about dress code, you have gone a step further and commented on someone's physicality."

"In no way did I want to affect the fantastic musicians and the people who work for the orchestra. They're all so talented and deserve to be heard," she said. "However, unfortunately, something like this very much overshadows all of that."

She said she's thrilled with the response that other people have had though she's upset this will affect the performers that are talented and deserve to be heard.

"It's opened up quite a conversation among musicians in Toronto and just generally people in Toronto and all over the place," she said. "On a grand scale, that is the most important thing."

CBC Toronto has reached out to Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra for comment but has yet to receive a response.</s>Toronto’s Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra has shut down after they were accused of fat shaming their singers.

In an email to the group’s singers, the management said that “although almost all of our vocalists are fit & slim — the way our boutique orchestras would like our front line performing artists to be” they were asking the women to only wear loose dresses and “refrain from using tight-fitting dresses.”

They added that “per our highly selective casting requirements,” they only want “singers who are physically fit & slim (or, at the very least, those who know how to dress strategically.”

However, they said, instrumental musicians “are essentially background wallpaper” and do not need to be held to the same standard.

One vocalist, Sydney Dunitz, posted the email on Facebook, adding that she is “absolutely disgusted” by the letter.

After Dunitz and several other vocalists spoke out against the orchestra, the management sent out an apology letter and said that the board members have resigned, and they would end the group’s funding, according to The Star.

“With our resignation, our financial funding for the Sheraton Cadwell community service project and music training program will also be terminated forthwith with much regret and, as such, the entire organization will cease to exist in due course,” they write.

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“We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment/harassment that you may experience from media representatives or other individuals/parties as a result of misconstrued/malicious allegations and extremely negative/destructive/evil intent.”
Toronto's Sheraton Cadwell Orchestras closes and its management resigns following public backlash to a fat-shaming email that said only "physically fit and slim" singers would be featured in shows.