The annual meeting of the Music Critics Association of North America in New York City last week ended violently when a massive fight erupted at the final event of the conference, leaving dozens injured. With tensions already running high in the room full of classical music journalists due to the lack of jobs brought on by shrinking newsrooms, a discussion about who would write the review of the conference for the MCANA newsletter seemed to be the breaking point.

“I was shocked by the suggestion that Barbara Jepson was going to get to write the piece for the newsletter,” said one critic involved in the brawl, who wished to remain anonymous. “She’s the only one with a real job! I need this work!” According to sources this is when “all hell broke loose.”

In the midst of the mayhem, 25-year old cub reporter Jessica Newsome beat them all to the punch by posting her report of the meeting’s highlights to her blog, her Twitter account, and her Facebook page. However, it is unlikely that most of the MCANA membership, who are not noted for their social media acumen, will notice this for at least two weeks.