Crisis at Cleveland Institute of Music: Students Boycott Rehearsals
Students at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) staged a silent protest against conductor Carlos Kalmar, the director of orchestral studies, who had been cleared in an independent Title IX investigation. The investigation was prompted by allegations of Kalmar's harsh treatment of female students. CIM's Title IX coordinator, Vivian Scott, who initiated the investigation, was subsequently suspended and laid off. The student protest highlighted discontent with CIM's administration and its handling of complaints against Kalmar. The school has postponed the CIM Orchestra's first performance and is surveying students to determine their willingness to work with Kalmar. CIM administration has pledged to meet with Kalmar and students to discuss possible alternatives for orchestral performance learning.