Clarinet player James Zimmermann is suing the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra over allegedly refusing to hire him over his past stance against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Zimmermann announced in a video on X Monday that he filed the lawsuit several weeks ago after winning a blind audition for the Knoxville Symphony in September. He claimed that the CEO, Rachel Ford, informed him via email days later that he was no longer being considered.
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He explained that he was the principal clarinet of the Nashville Symphony from 2008 until 2020, when he was “canceled” for resisting DEI policies within the orchestra. The Washington Free Beacon previously reported on Zimmermann’s termination in 2021 after he pushed back against efforts he said were promoting diversity over merit.
Zimmermann added that he is suing the orchestra for one year’s salary plus $25,000 to compensate for time practicing ahead of the audition after learning that his position was going to what he described as an “obvious DEI hire who’s still in college.”
“I’m suing because these orchestras can’t keep throwing out their best players to make room for diversity hires and putting race and politics above merit and skill,” he said. “All this does is lower the quality of the music, alienate audiences and turn the arts into politics.”
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