Youth orchestras tighten safeguards by setting boundaries for adults

Youth orchestras Tapiola Youth Symphony and Vivo have strengthened rules and safeguards to make their activities safer for young musicians, Yle reports. The changes include clearer expectations for adults in positions of authority.

The measures follow allegations about conductor Erkki Lasonpalo’s conduct in youth orchestras, which Yle reported on Wednesday. Lasonpalo led Tapiola Youth Symphony, the orchestra of the Espoo Music Institute, from 2015 to 2025, and Finland’s only national youth orchestra, Vivo, from 2019 to 2025. He has acknowledged having an alcohol problem but has largely denied allegations that he crossed physical boundaries. The Espoo Music Institute found no evidence that he was intoxicated during working hours.

Espoo Music Institute principal Paula Jordan says the culture on Tapiola Youth Symphony tours has become more disciplined in recent years. Trips now have clear rules on leaving accommodation and alcohol use. After concerts, young musicians return to their accommodation by shared bus, and curfews are set. Departures and returns are recorded in a lobby notebook under supervision.

Underage musicians are not allowed to drink, and adults are subject to a zero-alcohol rule before concerts. They are also prohibited from showing up intoxicated during their free time.

Before a 2025 tour of Portugal, adults were specifically told not to spend leisure time with young musicians in restaurants. Jordan says it is customary for orchestras to spend time together after concerts, but adults were instructed not to socialize with young people in situations involving alcohol.

The institute reviews its guidance on harassment and inappropriate behaviour every year. Jordan says staff have been reminded in weekly newsletters and meetings of the responsibilities that come with authority. The orchestra also has an anonymous feedback channel.

Going forward, Tapiola Youth Symphony’s manager will serve as its harassment contact and remind musicians of the principles for a safer space at the start of rehearsals. The institute also aims to revive an advisory group made up of orchestra members to help draw up rules for future trips.

Vivo’s artistic director and chief conductor, Elisar Riddelin, says power must be shared and decision-making structures made transparent. Riddelin became chief conductor at the start of this year, succeeding Lasonpalo, and will serve a three-year term.

Vivo has made several changes in recent years to share authority and create a safer learning environment. Audition decisions are now made by a panel rather than one person, and mentor musicians take part in artistic decisions alongside Riddelin. Orchestra section leaders are appointed for two periods at a time, followed by a one-period break. Vivo has also appointed a harassment contact and adopted safer-space principles that define acceptable behaviour.

Riddelin says adults are responsible for setting boundaries, and that educators must maintain a degree of distance from young people. Those in positions of authority should understand that young musicians may admire them professionally without having any other interest, Riddelin says.

Riddelin, who was born in 1993, believes his generation of conductors has received more discussion of power and the responsibilities it carries. During an earlier public debate, Riddelin and fellow students contacted the leadership of the Sibelius Academy to ask for training on power and its use. Riddelin says it was the most important course to him apart from music.