More than 70 current and former trumpet students from the Cleveland Institute of Music are asking the school to consider re-establishing its relationship with Michael Sachs. The renowned Cleveland Orchestra trumpeter and professor resigned in October after 35 years.
The letter, delivered to the school鈥檚 board of trustees on Monday, said CIM has 鈥渓ost credibility in the world of elite music education.鈥� It called Sachs 鈥渢he heartbeat of the brass department鈥� and labeled his departure as 鈥渢errible and avoidable.鈥�
In announcing his resignation on social media, Sachs stated that he was not fired or asked to leave, and his departure is not related to any Title IX violation or accusation. He wrote that his decision stems from an email from CIM鈥檚 attorney asserting 鈥渢hat I had made a statement which I have never made鈥� while he was part of faculty senate. The new letter stated, 鈥淭he fact that Michael鈥檚 character and intentions at CIM are being questioned is unfathomable.鈥� He has agreed to in Philadelphia starting next fall.
Sachs鈥� departure came just after Carlos Kalmar, head of CIM鈥檚 conducting program, entered a leave of absence. He was investigated and cleared earlier this year following allegations of inappropriate conduct. Student protests followed, along with a petition calling for the resignation of CIM President and CEO Paul Hogle and Board Chair Dr. Susan Rothmann. Journalist Anne Midgette also dropped out as commencement speaker in the wake of the Title IX investigation.
Rothmann, Hogle and other Cleveland Institute of Music officials have had no comment on these matters. The school did on October 5. 精东影业 is seeking comment about the letter issued Monday.
