Democratising Orchestras

What Happens When Musicians Run the Show?

By: Brian Long

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eText | 15 April 2026

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This book explores how democratic decision-making can transform orchestras, which have long been governed by top-down authority. Rooted in early twentieth-century organizational models, orchestras have thrived under centralized control, creating a global industry after 1945. However, this approach has left musicians with limited influence over key decisions, from repertoire to conductor selection. Through case studies of player-governed orchestras (PGOs), the author reveals how shared control reshapes traditional power dynamics, empowering musicians to take part in both artistic and managerial choices.

A vital resource for musicians, conductors, arts managers, and researchers in organizational studies, this book offers critical insights for modernizing orchestral governance. It is particularly useful for those leading or forming orchestras, as well as academics studying participatory management, labor relations, or the arts sector. Readers will find practical strategies for sustaining democracy in traditionally hierarchical institutions.