Cleveland hunkers down to virtual civil war
NewsWe’ve received the following extraordinary letter from the board chair of Cleveland Institute of Music, accusing members of the college’s senate of fomenting the recent unrest that led the the suspension of the head of conducting.
The letter, in both tone and content, bears no relation to the actual events that have rocked CIM.
Here goes:
Dear Cleveland Institute of Music Community,
It is a time of great achievement for CIM. With your help, our leadership has been busy carrying out its shared commitment to an initiative we have dubbed the moonshot vision, one that combines the best of CIM with industry best practices to ensure our school continues to prosper for many years to come. This vision is not simply a moral imperative, but also a pragmatic one that removes financial barriers for students and enables them to thrive.
The board of trustees tasked CIM President Paul Hogle and Provost Scott Harrison with the moonshot transformation of the institution. Both have continued to demonstrate their commitment to exceptional educational opportunities for our students and are making the changes necessary to best prepare them for future success. The board remains united in its enthusiastic support for President Hogle and Provost Harrison and is also thankful to the vast majority of our faculty and staff who have exhibited incredible dedication in helping us achieve this critical new milestone.
Recently, you may have heard about or read media reports about CIM that paint a very different picture. When false and misleading information occurs once, we take notice. When a pattern emerges, a response becomes necessary.
A public campaign designed to damage CIM is being waged by a small group of people who oppose the evolution of the institute. Reasons for this vary, but center on a desire to impose their agenda, one that serves their personal goals, onto the organization. We are disappointed in the actions of the few faculty senate members who comprise this small group.
The CIM Faculty Senate is an advisory body to the president. At its best it serves as a vital connection between leadership and the faculty; over the years, many faculty senate recommendations have been implemented, and have strengthened CIM. Today, a vocal handful of faculty have chosen the past over progress, and a personal desire for power over their students, no matter the cost to CIM’s reputation and community. Slander and defamation will find no home at CIM.
CIM students are sensational: dedicated, disciplined and a joy to work with. That the actions of a few have negatively impacted their CIM experience is unacceptable. We are currently pursuing multiple avenues of resolving this situation, including this call for those engaged in destructive behavior to stop immediately.
The CIM Board of Trustees, as well as President Hogle and Provost Harrison, remain fully committed to engaging in constructive discussion with our faculty leaders for the continued advancement of the institute; there is always room for improvement in our efforts to provide for students.
We hope that the individuals who have been ardently trying to undermine CIM’s mission will cease their disinformation campaign and refocus their efforts on working collaboratively with CIM’s Board of Trustees and administrative leaders to advance this renowned organization.
More information may be found here.
The future is bright at the Cleveland Institute of Music; we are thankful you are a part of it.
Sincerely,
Susan A. Rothmann, PhD
Chair, Board of Trustees
This is amazing.
I’m glad my kid attended in the bad old days of the past and as a result is gainfully employed in the field. I wouldn’t allow said kid to audition for the place now.
This letter demonstrates my concerns over current “leadership”. How does the rant demonstrate vision or ability?
I’m glad I did too. Got a very solid musical education that allowed me to have a successful career in the field. I know that there are many there who are trying mightily to provide the same thing now, but it appears that the administration is off on another quest. Cleveland is what Cleveland is, and that’s why I went there. They should be leaning in to that and not trying to be the Curtis of the Midwest or something.
I’m a New England Conservatory alum. What exactly does “Cleveland is what Cleveland is? mean?
It’s a nod to former Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, who, when confronted with myriad challenges, would simply state “It is what it is,” occasionally followed up with “Hard times is what we do.”
It largely has to do with the Cleveland Orchestra culture that’s slowly being erased from the school – a culture of respect, collectivism, and humility that I found was largely different and absent at NEC. Much the same with the culture of Cleveland in general. The old money there – of which there is a lot – doesn’t show off their wealth or take kindly to flash and glitz.
Clevelanders love their orchestra and to them there is no higher level or echelon of music-making. To defy tradition and turn CIM into Curtis or Juilliard is a recipe for disaster and a surehanded way to lose donors that could make Hogle’s vision of a tuition free school a reality.
It means train students so they can be hired unfairly by the Cleveland Orchestra members who teach there.
It means this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeNfw6XLI10&t=1s
Always appreciate a Spinal Tap moment…
A working-class Midwestern town with a vibrant arts scene. That’s the most succinct way I can think of to phrase it.
Furthermore, said quixotic quest is happening at the expense of the students, even as it would claim to benefit them. The ones I’ve spoken to are exhausted from being shot down and ignored.
This is incorrect: this ‘quest’ is not happening at the expense of students, it is actually happening at the expense of poorly paid faculty whose low pay ultimately enables generous scholarship support of these students.
As an alum of CIM, I wholeheartedly agree with Parent Of Musician. I am also well employed. In my opinion, the wonderful faculty lost and perhaps being lost during Hogle’s leadership is a stain on the institution. I wish Hogle would just disappear.
There is definitely a disconnection between the administration (up to the Board) and the faculty and students. This isn’t uncommon at all music schools. It’s true across the board, but is especially troubling when it involves allegations of sexual misconduct. They are sensitive matters because the music world is a small one, but things need to be handled appropriately and taken very seriously.
“Actions of a few”??? When most of the orchestra refused to play a rehearsal? That took uncommon bravery from the students and is indicative of desperation and conviction that any lesser action would not get attention.
Hogle and the Board are using the words “moon-shot initiative” as if they’re a magic cure-all. Hogle from the start of his regime has systematically dismantled many of the programs that made CIM special. He has a history easily found online of trashing orchestras. Sad.
Oh yeah, you commissars of optimism! The future is bright at CIM, just like Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is really just a Special Operation…
You mean like the shelling of women and children in the Donbas FOR EIGHT YEARS by the Ukrainians was “just a little joke”?
Oh please, you mean the Wagner fighters that just showed up 8 years ago the same time the Russians annexed Crimea. Go sell ignorance somewhere else.
I think Doug and JBizzles may need to recalibrate their sarcasm meters.
The future’s so bright, they’ve gotta wear shades.
Yes, the future is bright phrase is pure gaslighting. Smells of a coverup indeed.
The school reported that the Title IX investigation was conducted by a woman who is a former Senate confirmed US Attorney. Doubtless most classical musicians do not understand what this means, but for the rest of the civilized world it means that she is a highly trained forensic investigator. A US Attorney is fully capable of uncovering wrongdoing, and the fact that the Title IX officer concluded from the official report that there is nothing further to be done is not a trivial conclusion.
One must also assume that the legal right to appeal the conclusion was not exercised by those involved in the complainant side. Why not?
The board chair’s letter is likely demonstrative of significant restraint.
I do wonder how much you or those who have commented on this really know about the ” actual events”.
As a CIM parent this makes me want to cry. I will speak about my interactions with students whom I have spoken. CARLOS KALLMAR HAS NO PLACE IN ANY EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT. This isn’t because of third or fourth hand misinformation, nor have I spoken with any faculty on this issue. I understand the Title IX charges and agree that while he wasn’t found guilty of those charges he created a hostile environment, and is awkward and inappropriate in many interactions with the students and other faculty. In my child’s 20 years she has spoken negatively of only one conductor.
I applaud the students and faculty whom are standing up for what is right at potentially great cost to themselves. I have no idea what the administration or boardt are trying to accomplish by airing out their dirty laundry in public.
A great leader unifies, this was a shot across the bow. If the Cleveland Orchestra members leave, they will have effectively destroyed the school.
Honestly this is making me consider dropping out or deferring if all that’s considered in an educational institution is finances rather than THE ACTUAL EDUCATION they are attempting to provide. Much of this is twisted truths coming from someone who has seen it all from the inside. So sad what this school is becoming.
So extraordinary… unbelievable
Along with Hogle and Harrison, Rothmann also uses her position of power to abuse the CIM community. Her son, Jeremy Paul (pictured), was given faculty status at CIM, though he has no job-related responsibilities. Nepotism is not illegal, but this action further highlights the moral and ethical problems of CIM’s upper administration.
What part of the phrase “We don’t want Kalmar” do they not understand??? As Dudamel said to the government of Venezuela “Listen to the People!”. The CIM orchestra will sound pretty lousy without the students – and they are paying your tuition fees. So get with the program, folks!!
“As Dudamel said to the government of Venezuela”?
What???
Dudamel SERVED the government of Venezuela for over a decade, flew in their private jets, wined and dined with the architects of Venezuela’s collapse, appeared at the UN with Delcy Rodriguez and so on, and so on! Until the money ran out in 2018, that is, and the game was up, and the LA Phil board pressured him to say something to calm the waters. He could see clearly that it was time to jump ship, and jump he did. The press did the rest to spin the story to the victim narrative. On the contrary, it was his compatriot Gabriela Montero who selflessly fought the Venezuelan regime for over a decade, not Gustavo Dudamel. I have never read anything so tragically inaccurate in all my life.
Kalmar is a pain in the ass and a mediocre conductor….A once in a life time experience in my orchestra.He was never invited back.
Agree… he came to my (major) orchestra as a last minute sub for the scheduled conductor who was ill. Absolutely terrible!
“A public campaign designed to damage CIM is being waged by a small group of people who oppose the evolution of the institute.” The majority of comments here suggest there may be some truth in this.
“CIM students are sensational: dedicated, disciplined and a joy to work with.” Except for those who “engaged in destructive behavior.” Could be they didn’t get the moonshot vision and are moonstruck instead. Or, they see the problems quite clearly and are invested in their future.
CIM has been going downhill since the early 2000’s when they let several prominent and famous string professors leave. I also studied at NEC and there is a stark difference between the two institutions. The administration of CIM currently needs to burn or resign themselves before they completely destroy the legacy of a great institution. Hogle has been the worst decision in the history of CIM, all of CIM’s current problems have stemmed from his leadership.
Enjoy your extremely reduced applicant pool this year
I am SO grateful to have been there through the Levine years. (Seriously.)
Who is that handsome bearded man with the gorgeous smile? Yowza!
“Dear Students and Faculty,
We, the Board of the Cleveland Institute of Music demand that all of you sit down, shut up, and bask in the glow of our greatness and vision. Because we’re special people, and you’re not.
Screw you all,
CIM Board”
I may be reading between the lines incorrectly, but if CIM is trying to make their tuition on a Curtis model more power to them. Nobody should have to pay $50,000-70,000 to get a music degree. The odds of winning a decent orchestra or teaching gig is way too low to justify spending that kind of money. Back in the 1980s my Indiana University tuition was $1000 per semester and I was privileged to study with one of the top violin pedagogues of that time. I thank my lucky stars every day that I was able to win an audition in a fine orchestra that paid pretty much a middle class wage.
What is the moonshot vision????
https://www.cim.edu/factcheck
https://www.cim.edu/advantage
I was visiting a friend on the staff of CIM on the day of the protest and spent a couple of hours in the coffee shop across the road doing some emails etc. I could hear conversations all round me from small groups of students who did not make any effort to be discreet. The general impression I got, as a neutral, was of a body of students who didn’t want anything to do with the imminent protest, whose parents were advising them to stay out of trouble, and who weren’t even sure what it was all about, because they hadn’t been affected by Kalmar and didn’t know specifically what he had done. Add to that their apparent confusion over protesting a man who had just been cleared of wrongdoing by a lengthy investigation. One student talked about a wind teacher who was (apparently) threatening to withdraw his students from the orchestra if they didn’t protest or if Kalmar wasn’t fired. In other words the students felt they were pawns under the control of the teacher and his agenda and not making their own decisions. They were clearly conflicted, and many expressed a feeling of a majority student body under pressure by a minority of agitators. Again, I have no skin in the game. This is just what I overheard and the message was pretty clear to me that this was not a clear cut case of justice miscarried, but something far more political – the nuances of which I have no clue.
The students you’re speaking of were probably simply not instrumental majors. They’d have had no contact with Kalmar in orch.
There are tons of piano, voice or composition/music theory/history or music ed majors in any music dept who don’t play in orch. This crisis wouldn’t affect them directly.
There are most likely also a lot of international students from China & S. Korea (very common in music depts now) who have a lot riding on their ability to blend in & stay quiet. Culturally, this type of protest might not be in their wheel house & def. not in their best interests to join in.
The presence of these students, who you probably observed, in no way negates what that the students who are directly affected are experiencing.
So let me see if I am understanding this correctly. The students who didn’t want to participate in the protest must have been Asian, because Asian cultures are passive. Did I get the gist of it?
Sounded to me more like Asian students at CIM want to stay far away from any trouble so that they don’t get asked to leave the school and, potentially, the US (since their visas are presumably student visas).
The confirmed resignation of Michael Sachs is further evidence that this “administration” has an alternative agenda other than providing the best music education for its students. Truly sad.
Well, you have to give the board some credit. It’s rare that a board will trash the faculty senate. You would never see this in an institution with full-time, tenured faculty. The fact that most of the faculty are part-time, allows them to take this position publicly. That said, their trying to gloss over a large scale protest by students and the absurdist “moon shot” notion, don’t bode well for the institution in terms of management. They’ve jacked up their scholarships, for the time being, to a level that cannot sustain. Their future may be anything but bright and they may may not be able to afford shades.
It is not common at this site, once the editor forms his opinion, to “audiatur et altera pars”…so the sensational and one-sided headlines are a must. However, today the legendary Michael Sachs, first trumpet of CSO and the head of brass department resigned (https://www.facebook.com/michael.sachs).
Clearly it’s not a “few students” or a “small group of faculty” that is the villain here. It’s not a civil war, but the administration is trying to save their butts by terrorizing the school. Read:
“By now, many of you may have heard that, as of yesterday, I resigned from my position as faculty member, head of the trumpet department, and chair of the brass division at The Cleveland Institute of Music.
Since many things may be swirling around, I want to make several facts clear:
1) The decision to resign from CIM was entirely mine.
2) I was not fired or asked to leave.
3) There was absolutely no issue of any kind involving a Title IX violation or accusation.
My resignation after 35 years of service to CIM was precipitated by an email that I received yesterday from HR and CIM’s lawyer. This email asserted that I had made a statement which I have never made. I must admit that when I first opened the email, I thought it was an error or a prank. I soon realized it was not. I inferred from the remainder of the email that they were threatening me with legal action.
I am confident that my colleagues will confirm I have been a voice for moderation, cooperation, and team-playing in all matters concerning the faculty and administration.
This incident was not the first baseless attack by members of CIM’s administration on my character, reputation, and integrity. Because I will not tolerate any further such attacks, I made the decision to resign from all positions that I held with the Cleveland Institute of Music, effective immediately.
As heart-wrenchingly difficult as it was, I had to conclude that I can no longer be a party to CIM’s institutional culture. I will miss my students more than words can say.
– Michael Sachs”
I teach at CIM. The top admin doesn’t care about academics, at all, or have any sense of the broad education most musicians need for success in a world where traditional classical music models are in secular decline. Their “vision” is to supply uncritical performing monkeys to a death-spiral industry. Hogle, a known Trump supporter, got an 80k raise while faculty raises were frozen across the board because financial crisis. Says it all. Rothmann’s scorched-earth letter is a clueless embarrassment even if it were accurate. Michael Sachs is worth a hundred of either of these two. As for Kalmar, the Title IX investigation got him off on a technicality: they couldn’t prove sex-based discrimination because it’s hard to prove, but I’ve heard from enough faculty to conclude he’s not what the school needs and concur with the view of his general inappropriateness and myopia. I don’t know if he “deserved” to be fired or disciplined, but he’s not well liked and he’s on a five-year contract, unlike every other faculty whose contracts are renewed (or not) yearly, so the school is in a pickle with what to do about him. Leave of absence indeed.
This crisis isn’t going to be “solved” by the current leadership of CIM. There are too many examples of students having found themselves in a professional quandary, trying to decide between fealty to an abusive faculty member whose power they believe to be absolute, having to leave the school, or somehow maneuvering in a toxic environment. The power imbalance inherent between faculty/student is one that has to be acknowledged by anyone teaching young adults and by honoring the trust that these students give to those with whom they study. CIM leadership does not appear to understand this basic fact of working with young musicians who are striving to become performing artists at the highest level. Mike Sach resigning is yet another clarion call that the problems at CIM are real and can only be addressed by new leadership including on the board.