500 musicians demand change after Juilliard misconduct allegations

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Sign outside Julliard School, May 20 – Credit: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

An open letter urging the Juilliard School to take immediate action against composer Robert Beaser, the institution’s former composition department chair, over allegations of decades-long abuse of women and power, has been signed by more than 500 musicians and leaders of the classical music community. .

The letter was first published on Friday; later that afternoon, as the list of signings grew, Beaser, 68, took time off from his teaching job, NPR reports.

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Juilliard, the Manhattan music school which counts Robin Williams, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Barry Manilow and many other famous artists among its graduates, has launched an investigation into the allegations.

In light of the ongoing investigation and following discussions with Bob [Beaser] earlier this afternoon, we want to inform you that Bob will be stepping down from teaching and other faculty responsibilities while the investigation is ongoing, Juilliard Provost Adam Meyer said in a letter to members of the composition faculty on Friday, according to the Washington Post. This change will be effective immediately.

A representative for Juilliard did not immediately respond to the Rolling Stones’ request for comment.

Last week, German magazine VAN published the findings of a six-month investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against several Juilliard faculty members. Beaser, according to the magazine, faces multiple undisclosed allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct from the late 1990s and 2000s.

The magazine also includes allegations of other school misconduct, including allegations against Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer Christopher Rouse and longtime Juilliard teacher and composer John Corigliano.

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As of Monday, the signatories to the letter include current professors from Harvard, Princeton and Yale as well as Philadelphias Curtis Institute of Music and Juilliard itself. Several high-profile names also signed the open letter, including Missy Mazzoli, Tyondai Braxton, Vijay Iyer, Andrew Norman and Claire Chase.

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