Carlos Kalmar, principal conductor and director of the orchestral studies program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, has 鈥渆ntered into a leave of absence鈥� for the remainder of the semester, according to a CIM spokesperson.
The move comes two weeks after students staged a sit-in to protest Kalmar. Many students attended rehearsal without instruments, and others sat in the audience space in support.
The conductor was investigated earlier this year -- and cleared -- following allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Student government had circulated a petition calling for his resignation. A flyer about the protests said students had 鈥渓ost trust鈥� in him and were uncomfortable under his leadership.
The school responded to the protests with a statement saying that administration was working with students 鈥渢o create opportunities for discussion.鈥� A planned Sept. 26 performance at Severance Hall, under Kalmar鈥檚 baton, was also canceled.
In a statement Saturday morning, CIM said it will not be commenting further on Kalmar鈥檚 leave. An additional, internal email obtained by Ideastream further states:
鈥淲e know that this decision will disappoint many鈥攊ncluding the faculty members, trustees and alumni who served on his search committee, and our students and alumni, who have been consistent and courageous advocates for Mr. Kalmar鈥檚 work to revitalize and elevate our orchestra program to its next level of achievement. We are grateful for his commitment to the conservatory and all that he has accomplished.鈥�
The email further states that this semester鈥檚 orchestra programs will be conducted by Sameer Patel, of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, and Anthony Parnther of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. Parnther鈥檚 features Sibelius鈥� Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47, which was part of the canceled Sept. 26 program.
The protest this month stemmed from a Title IX investigation started in April. About 30 students, faculty and staff were interviewed by former U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon. In dismissing the case, acting Title IX coordinator Dean Southern said "the conduct was not on the basis of sex, nor was it so severe or pervasive as to create an objectively offensive environment such that it denies anyone equal access to educational opportunities at CIM based on gender."
The school did not comment further on the allegations, protest or investigation.
After the investigation was announced, Title IX director Vivian Scott departed the institution for undisclosed reasons. In July, the school cut 15 percent of its administrative staff.
On Sept. 8, the editorial board of the Observer was highly critical of CIM鈥檚 handling of the investigation and questioned why Scott was removed. The paper is part of student media at CIM鈥檚 neighbor, Case Western Reserve University. The schools run a joint music program.
Uruguayan-born and Vienna-trained, Carlos Kalmar was named director of orchestral and conducting programs at CIM in 2021, following a three-year search. He left the Oregon Symphony after 18 years as its music director to take the post. He has been artistic director of Chicago鈥檚 Grant Park Music Festival since 2000.
Following the dismissal of charges, festival CEO Paul Winberg told the Chicago Tribune that the outcome 鈥渞einforces our decision this spring to move forward with Carlos Kalmar as our Artistic Director and Principal Conductor through the 2024 season.鈥�
