An open letter demanding that the Juilliard College take fast motion in opposition to composer Robert Beaser, the previous chair of the establishment’s composition division, for alleged “decades-long abuse of girls and energy” has been signed by greater than 500 musicians and leaders within the classical music neighborhood. The letter was first printed Friday.
Final week, the German-based VAN journal printed the findings of a six-month investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in opposition to a number of Juilliard college members. Beaser, the journal states, “faces a number of, previously-undisclosed allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct from the late Nineteen Nineties and 2000s.”
Juilliard — the Manhattan music faculty that counts Robin Williams, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Barry Manilow, and lots of extra famed artists amongst their graduates — launched an investigation into the allegations.
“In gentle of the continuing investigation, and following discussions with Bob [Beaser] earlier this afternoon, we need to notify you that Bob will step away from his instructing duties and different college duties whereas the investigation is being performed,” Juilliard Provost Adam Meyer stated in a letter to composition college members on Friday, in accordance with the Washington Publish. “This alteration will probably be efficient instantly.”
On Tuesday, a rep from Juilliard responded to Rolling Stone in an announcement: “The varsity launched an impartial investigation on December 8 in response to new allegations which date again to the late 90s and early 2000s, as introduced ahead by VAN Journal. As a part of the varsity’s course of, the college member is on depart as of December 16.”
The journal additionally consists of claims of different misconduct on the faculty, together with allegations in opposition to Pulitzer- and Grammy-winning composer Christopher Rouse and longtime Juilliard professor and composer John Corigliano.
As of Monday, the letter signatories embody present professors at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale in addition to Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music, and Juilliard itself. A number of high-profile names have additionally signed the open letter, together with Missy Mazzoli, Tyondai Braxton, Vijay Iyer, Andrew Norman, and Claire Chase.
This was up to date at 2:52 p.m. E.T. on Dec. 20 to incorporate an announcement from the Juilliard College.