In Saturday’s (4/24) Denver Post, Kyle MacMillan reports on growing tensions at the Aspen Music Festival and School. “Classical music fans will get the performances they are promised this summer, but they will see changes. Most notably the absence of David Zinman, who departed as music director after 13 years—backing out of his scheduled concerts and his direction of the festival’s academy of conducting.” Describing additional behind-the-scenes upheaval, MacMillan states that “Paul Kantor, who has taught violin at the festival for 32 years. … helped lead the call for a no-confidence vote this Thursday on [CEO Alan] Fletcher’s leadership. … But Fletcher—who was fired by the board’s executive committee in October and reinstated by a vote of the full board in November—still has his share of supporters. … Although the Music Associates’ vote is non-binding (the board is responsible for personnel decisions) it can hardly help but hold some sway. The board is conducting its annual performance review of Fletcher and will make a decision in late June on whether to extend his contract. It is set to expire Sept. 30. … ‘We have to settle some of our internal issues,’ said board chairman Rob LeBuhn.”
April 27, 2010
