“The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra announced today that Timothy Lees is stepping down after 20 years as concertmaster … at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season,” writes Bill Cieslewicz in Friday’s (7/13) Cincinnati Business Courier (subscription required). “Lees, who began his tenure with the CSO in June 1998, will become concertmaster emeritus in September, remaining a member of the CSO’s first violin section. Lees has been on leave since December due to medical issues related to a nerve injury affecting the fingers of his left hand. He has undergone cervical spine surgery and continues with a plethora of treatments. Lees has been on intermittent leave since the condition rose in April 2016…. Kathryn Woolley, acting associate concertmaster, has been performing the role of concertmaster while Lees has been on leave…. Lees, who also teaches violin at CCM, continues to privately teach and actively mentor fellows as part of the CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship … for graduate-level violin, viola, cello and double bass players from populations that are historically underrepresented in classical music…. The CSO will hold auditions for concertmaster in the coming season and will announce interim plans for the 2018-19 season in the near future.”
Posted July 16, 2018
