“The Cleveland Orchestra released a statement Thursday detailing the group it has appointed to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against suspended concertmaster William Preucil,” writes Zachary Lewis in Friday’s (8/16) Cleveland Plain Dealer. “In a statement released Thursday at noon, the orchestra announced the formation of a five-member committee to conduct an independent investigation of the allegations against Preucil by violinist Zeneba Bowers, a member of the Nashville Symphony.” The committee will consist of board members David Hooker, Alexander Cutler, Stephen Hoffman, Loretta Mester, and Beth Mooney. “The statement also said the orchestra has hired the New York law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP to investigate Preucil’s tenure at the orchestra and ‘any other matters that are raised in the course of Debevoise’s work.’ ” The allegations against Preucil by Bowers and another, unnamed female musician were first published in The Washington Post. “Shortly after the article appeared, on July 27, the orchestra placed Preucil, concertmaster since 1995, on suspension. Preucil himself also has resigned from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he served on the faculty…. The orchestra said it will share key findings of the review upon its conclusion.”
Posted August 17, 2018
