Suzuki to Replace Disgraced Violinist William Preucil From Teaching Recordings

It has been announced that the International Suzuki Association will replace disgraced violinist William Preucil from its teaching recordings

Alfred Music and the International Suzuki Association have today announced they will replace disgraced former Cleveland Orchestra Concertmaster, William Preucil from its Suzuki Violin School teaching recordings - following last week’s independent investigation's findings of serious sexual misconduct.

Preucil, 60, whose playing can be heard on the international teaching method’s accompaniment CDs, was last week dismissed from the Cleveland ensemble after 23 years - after the investigation found multiple incidences of serious sexual harassment. 

“We take the allegations of sexual misconduct that have been made against violinist William Preucil, Jr. extremely seriously, and we are dismayed at the findings of the investigation conducted on behalf of the Cleveland Orchestra …” Alfred Music, the recording's copyright holders, have said.

“To that end, we will work closely with the International Suzuki Association and will replace our current Suzuki Violin School recordings with new recordings as soon as possible.”

“Many students grow up idolizing the musician whose playing they emulate … it is important who is on the recording,” Laurie Niles from violinist.com has told The Washington Post.

In August of this year, Precuil resigned from his teaching position as a Distinguished Professor of Violin at the Cleveland Institute of Music, following the allegations.

He was also un-invited from engagements to perform at the Grand Teton Music Festival, New Mexico Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and the University of Texas.