Cleveland, OH

Commencement speaker bows out as Cleveland Institute of Music launches Title IX probe

Published

1 year ago

May 10, 2023

Commencement speaker bows out as Cleveland Institute of Music launches Title IX probe

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Institute of Music has launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by principal conductor Carlos Kalmar. The inquiry is still in its early stages, but there’s already been some fallout. This week, Anne Midgette, the former longtime classical music critic at the Washington Post, declined an honorary doctorate from the higher education institution and withdrew as keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony on May 20.

“I’m really disappointed,” she told cleveland.com. “I was so flattered to be asked and it was a lovely thing. I really hate to pull out, but I reached a point where I felt I had no other choice.”

Midgette, who also covered classical music for The New York Times and is now working on a book, was announced as commencement speaker back in March. In late April, however, students were informed that Kalmar, also CIM’s director of orchestral studies, was the subject of a Title IX investigation. Title IX is a federal civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools or education programs that receive federal funding.

“It was with great horror that I read one of Carlos Kalmar’s course evaluations. This is not the first time that I have heard his name – detailing inappropriate behavior of varying degrees,” Vivian Scott, the music conservatory’s Title IX coordinator, wrote on April 27 in an email sent to all students. “I am conducting an investigation into Mr. Kalmar’s behavior, but I need your help… If you have experienced (or observed) behavior on Mr. Kalmar’s behalf that can be considered sexual harassment, please contact me if you are willing to provide details.”

In addition to his CIM position, Kalmar is the principal conductor for the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago and previously served as music director of the Oregon Symphony. In a 2009 profile, Portland Monthly characterized him as a “megalomaniac” who “treats musicians like peons.” The article also chronicled an incident in 2006 when Kalmar unceremoniously fired the symphony’s longtime principal flutist Dawn Weiss in a move that eventually led to the voluntary departures of six other musicians.

In a statement to cleveland.com, Kalmar’s attorney James Wooley said his client “has never been accused of wrongdoing in his impeccable 40-plus year career,” adding Kalmar “has been improperly identified in connection with a possible Title IX matter.”

“Title IX matters are confidential under federal law,” the lawyer said. “He has done nothing wrong. We have nothing more to say about the matter.”

Since Scott’s email went out, Midgette said she has heard from a number of students and faculty, offering their perspectives on the situation. She was concerned not only by the number of people who reached out but by the degree to which they felt angry and unheard.

“It is not usual for multiple people to come forward to a journalist they don’t know,” Midgette said. “I felt that the school needs to improve its internal culture. It’s not OK to have so many people so upset and I don’t want to endorse that because I’ve worked so hard to try to improve things.”

Indeed, Midgette has done her part to effect change in classical music. In 2018 while at the Washington Post, she and reporter Peggy McGlone uncovered allegations of sexual harassment against former Cleveland Orchestra concertmaster William Preucil, back then also a Cleveland Institute of Music faculty member.

Their reporting eventually led to Preucil’s firing at the Cleveland Orchestra and his resignation from CIM. The articles appeared to be a factor in CIM’s decision to bring Midgette to town for the commencement ceremony. In a press release at the time, the institution praised her work for sparking “frank conversations about inclusivity, accountability and the future of classical music.”

But by Monday, the situation had become untenable for Midgette.

“They assured me inviting me was a sign they were turning over a new leaf,” she said. “But given they have this Title IX situation going on, it felt like I was potentially being used to whitewash a situation that was against what I stand for.”

Still, the decision to withdraw wasn’t easy and didn’t come without careful consideration. Midgette threw on her old reporter’s hat and conducted her own mini-investigation until she was comfortable enough to make the call.

“I was essentially hearing the same story over and over. I didn’t have anybody come in with, ‘Oh, no, that’s not true.’ Everybody was amplifying what the others had said,” she said. “I spoke to enough people to feel that it was just not going to be appropriate for me to be there.”

She added, “I am rooting for the school to work out its problems and be able to celebrate and truly foster all that great potential.”

Midgette says she was told that CIM recently hired an outside, independent party to conduct the formal investigation. The institution hasn’t announced a replacement speaker for its 98th Commencement Ceremony in two weeks. But for students and faculty, the bigger concern is the lack of communication from school leadership.

“There’s a lot we just haven’t heard from the administration, a lot of questions haven’t been answered yet,” said Sol Rizzato, who as the student government graduate ambassador serves as the liaison between students and the administration.

Last Friday, he helped organize an all-student forum where they could ask questions and show support for each other. In addition to calls for transparency, students are seeking assurances from leadership of their professional safety in case they come forward.

“I think with any sort of built-in systems of power, it can be very scary when you’re working with people in an established position of power,” he said. “People that start speaking out have tended to get a lot of blowback.”

His message to his fellow students: “There’s no issue that is too small to report.”

A spokesperson for Cleveland Institute of Music didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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Cleveland, OH

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan

Published

30 mins ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

City launches ‘Cleveland Moves’ initiative, seeks public input on 5-year transportation plan

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The city of Cleveland is seeking public input and engagement on its ambitious five-year transportation initiative that aims to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of walking, biking and using public transit across the city.

In a news release Friday, the city said it hopes to harness the feedback and build upon the multimodal transportation plan, dubbed “Cleveland Moves,” which includes five key components:

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Cleveland, OH

Orioles vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Friday, August 2

Published

8 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Orioles vs. Guardians Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Friday, August 2

Two powerhouse contenders are squaring off this weekend in Cleveland, part of a massive four-game series that is going to help answer some questions about what we may see come October. The Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians are well in contention for a championship and it takes center stage all weekend long.

The Orioles continue a titanic battle in the American League East with the Yankees at 65-45, while the Guardians continue to shine with a current league-best 66-42 record. Both teams have surprisingly impressed this season, especially the young but mighty Guardians. Here’s how to play this Friday matchup.

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Run Line:

Moneyline:

Total:

Colton Cowser: Part of the rich youth pool of talent, the Orioles may have found a true gem with Colton Cowser. The 24-year-old left fielder has extended his active hitting streak to 14 games, recording one in each game since the all-star break. His average has increased from .219 to .247 in that span, along with 4 home runs and 13 RBI. His hitting streak is tied for the 2nd most active one in all of the MLB, behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (14) and Ezequial Tovar (17). Cowser is making 2024 a memorable inaugural full season.

Jose Ramirez: There may not be anyone hitting the ball better right now across all of the MLB like Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez. He opened this series on Thursday with a 2-run blast, marking his 3rd consecutive game with a home run. Ramirez has a ridiculous ledger of 3 home runs and 8 RBI in his previous three games. His 28 home runs and 90 RBI this season place him in the top 10 across all players. He continues to provide the power on this feisty, young team. Ramirez is the offensive spark the Guardians must turn to in their run to the postseason.

This is an exciting change of pace to the normal juggernauts that we have seen through the years in baseball. While we don’t quite know if these two will be near the top of the standings in October, all that matters is that both are positioning themselves for it. A pair of unlikely division leaders are battling for a little summer glory in Cleveland.

Dean Kremer takes the hill for the Orioles on Friday. A lot of uncertainty surrounds this start as he’s amassed mixed results for much of 2024. Currently at 4-7 with a 4.20 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 14 home runs allowed, it hasn’t been pretty but at least is passable. Kremer anchors the No. 4 spot in this rotation and has yet to find much consistency. Last time out on Saturday against San Diego, he tossed 6 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 earned), 7 hits, a walk and 7 strikeouts. The Orioles have not provided him the best run support lately, with the team being 2-5 in his last seven outings.

Carlos Carrasco holds the fort down for the Guardians in this one. It’s been a lackluster season with a 3-9 record, a 5.68 ERA and 79 strikeouts. The month of July was very unkind to him, allowing 19 earned runs and 6 home runs across a total of five starts. Carrasco additionally has allowed 6 runs in each of his prior two outings. He is currently 20th in all of the MLB in home runs allowed (17), but a lower walk rate with just 27 free passes allowed. The 37-year-old is clearly beginning to hit a decline, and likely will finish his career here where he has so many great memories.

Both teams certainly check a lot of marks offensively and Thursday’s 10-3 Guardians win backed that up. We have another pitching matchup that is not pretty, so it’s absolutely fair to expect a lot of offensive fireworks. The Orioles are superior on paper, ranking 1st in home runs per game, 4th in hits and 3rd in runs.

That’s the way I lean with this prediction. I get the feeling both teams will feed off each other’s energy all weekend long, especially with a lot on the line in this series. I’ll happily back the total to go over 9 runs in Friday’s contest at -115 (FanDuel), especially with a pair of starters that have been less than ideal for most of the year.

Pick: Orioles-Guardians OVER 9 Runs (-115)

Note: Game odds are subject to change.

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Cleveland, OH

Northeast Ohio road construction: What new delays can driver’s expect?

Published

14 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

Northeast Ohio road construction: What new delays can driver’s expect?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There will be plenty of overnight lane closures over the next several weeks for various construction projects in Northeast Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has released an updated list of lane closures and delays for Cuyahoga County and other regions.

I-90 westbound just east of Columbia Road will be in a bi-directional traffic pattern beginning Tuesday and continuing through September for bridge deck replacement. All lanes of traffic are maintained. However, one lane of westbound traffic will be maintained on the I-90 eastbound side separated by a concrete barrier wall. Two lanes of traffic are maintained on the existing westbound side using a lane shift.

U.S. 422 westbound ramp to I-271 northbound will be closed from 9 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. The detour is I-480 westbound to Miles Road to I-271 north.

Harvard Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 north will be closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Chagrin Road entrance ramp to I-271 south will be closed at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Westway Drive over I-90 will be closed from Aug. 12 through mid-September for bridge repairs. The detour will utilize Wager Road

I-271 southbound ramp to U.S. 422 eastbound will be closed 8 p.m. Aug. 9 through 6 a.m. Aug. 12 for bridge repairs.

The following closures will be in place each night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Tuesday until Thursday for pavement work.

I-71 northbound to I-480 westbound. The detour is I-480 east to Tiedeman Road to I-480 west.

I-480 westbound to Ohio 237. The detour is Ohio 17 east to Ohio 237.

The following ramps will be closed for resurfacing from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11. All ramps will not be closed at the same time.

Ohio 176 north ramp to I-90 east. The detour is I-490 east to I-77 north.

I-90 east ramp to I-71 north. The detour is I-90 east to I-77 north.

I-90 east/I-490 west ramp to I-71 south. The detour is Ohio 176 south to Denison Avenue to Ohio 176 north to West 14th Street to I-71 south.

Ohio 700 just south of Tavern Road has been reduced to one lane maintained by a temporary traffic signal beginning through early September for culvert replacement.

Ohio 91 (SOM Center Road) between U.S. 20 and Ohio 2 has various lane restrictions through mid-September for bridge repairs.

U.S. 6 between Rockefeller Road and Bishop Road will be reduced to westbound traffic only beginning Aug. 10 through early September for resurfacing. The detour for eastbound traffic is Bishop Road to Eddy Road to Rockefeller Road.

Ohio 615 between Andrews Road and Center Street has various nightly lane restrictions between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. through October.

I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-76/Kenmore Leg and I-77 will have various lane restrictions beginning Aug. 12.

I-277/U.S. 224 westbound between I-77 and I-76/Kenmore Leg will be closed from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28 for resurfacing. The detour will be I-77 northbound to I-76 westbound to I-76/Kenmore Leg.

Brush Road over Ohio I-77 will be closed beginning Aug. 14 through late August for bridge repairs. The detour is Brecksville Road to Boston Mills Road to Black Road.

Ohio 303 under I-77 will be closed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night beginning Aug. 19 through Aug. 26 for bridge-beam placement. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.

Ohio 303 eastbound under I-77 will be closed from Aug. 21 through late November for bridge construction. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to I-271.

The ramp from Glenwood Avenue to Ohio 8 southbound will be closed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily beginning Aug. 19 through late August. The detour is Glenwood Avenue to Howard Street to Tallmadge Avenue.

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