We Had No Idea is a project of We Track Foibles, LLC. It was launched in July 2025 with 32 people in the directory. Since the launch, we have received hundreds of submissions. Thank you to the many people who have sent feedback and submitted articles. Here’s everything that’s changed so far.
Directory updates
We have added 55 people since launch. As of September 14, 2025, the current directory count stands at 87 – go check it out.
Inclusion policy updates
The previous policy was very brief: “This site lists people in the classical music industry in the U.S. who have been the subject of at least two articles in reputable publications or case filings involving sexual harassment or assault.”
As a greater variety of misconduct and outcomes appeared in the submissions, we decided to make the policy more explicit to ensure consistency. The new policy is follows and can be read on the FAQ.
What is the standard for inclusion on this list?
This site is a database of publicly documented information. We do not publish original research. A person is included on this list when alleged sexual misconduct involving them has resulted in significant, publicly reported consequences for either the individual or an affiliated institution.
Our standard requires documentation from at least two reputable public sources (such as established news media or court filings) that report on actions such as:
- Professional Sanctions: Termination, suspension, or forced resignation from a position following an investigation into misconduct.
- Legal Action: The filing of formal criminal charges, an arrest in connection with allegations of sexual misconduct, or a civil lawsuit related to sexual harassment or assault.
- Public Acknowledgment: A settlement related to misconduct, or a public admission by the individual.
- Institutional Response: An institution publicly overhauls its safety and harassment policies, and reputable reporting contextualizes this reform as a direct response to investigations or public allegations concerning that individual.
What we don’t include
It has been both moving and distressing to hear how many people have wanted a resource like this for their own community. Unfortunately, the We Track Foibles team is small and at capacity. We have chosen not to include musicians who do not have an documented tie to a classical music institution. We currently do not include people who operate solely in jazz, band, film, or other classical-adjacent fields.
Map update
The map, which launched initially a U.S. map, is now a world map. You can zoom and pan around to different areas of the world. Hovering over a dot will reveal place names.
Future Work
We would love to see this project turned into a proper non-profit, with support for multiple genres and languages. However, that will take some time to set up.
If you would like to support this project by volunteering to help proofread entries, vet submissions, or collaborate on user-experience improvements, please write to support@we-had-no-idea.org.