Cleveland Orchestra to Investigate Leader William Preucil Over Sexual Assault Allegations

The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a committee has been formed to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by William Precuil

The Cleveland Orchestra’s Board of Trustees has today announced a special five-member committee has been formed to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by long-term concertmaster, William Precuil.

Precuil, 60, was suspended from his duties with the ensemble last month after an article was published in the Washington Post reporting an alleged incident in 1998 in Miami, where the then 40-year-old violinist invited a female student, from the New World Symphony Training Academy, to his hotel room – before aggressively kissing her, opening her buttons and pushing her forcefully onto the bed.

"We take the recent report of sexual misconduct allegations against concertmaster William Preucil very seriously …. as previously indicated, we have suspended Mr. Preucil as of July 27, 2018 ….” the Orchestra has today said in a statement.

“Upon the conclusion of the review, we will share the key findings,” the Board of Trustees has indicated.

Preucil had served the Cleveland Orchestra Concertmaster role since 1995.

Earlier this month he resigned from his teaching position as a Distinguished Professor of Violin at the Cleveland Institute of Music, following the allegations.

The now 60-year-old has also since been un-invited from engagements to perform at the Grand Teton Music Festival, New Mexico Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and the University of Texas.