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BSO Suspends Concertmaster After Allegations Of Inappropriate Behavior

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra suspended its concertmaster without pay Friday following allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a woman who worked for another orchestra.

BSO President and CEO Peter Kjome said Concertmaster Jonathan Carney has been suspended at least through next Tuesday, Nov. 13. Other musicians, including Associate Concertmaster Audrey Wright, will serve as concertmaster during his absence.

“After a comprehensive independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior towards another musician in our own orchestra, we made it clear to Jonathan Carney that we would not tolerate inappropriate behavior, whether verbal or physical,” said Kjome. “In our view, Mr. Carney was not forthcoming about this current allegation.”

Attorney Neil J. Ruther called the suspension “disappointing.”

My client has yet to speak for himself on the matter which is why he did not get ahead of the process by discussing the matter with the BSO,” Ruther said in a statement. “We are confident that once the facts are known the issue will be promptly resolved with the BSO.”

A musician with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra filed for a civil peace order against Carney, claiming the violinist verbally attacked her after a rehearsal last week at a church. 

Ruther said Carney was surprised to see her there. He said the encounter happened as he was leaving and she was in his way.

“In no way was the discussion as it was characterized,” Ruther said. “Like anyone who has endured misrepresentations that caused harm to their reputation, he was emotional and had questions about why this individual would engage in such harmful behavior. The conversation Mr. Carney initiated was primarily to understand the motive behind the smear campaign waged against him.

In September, the BSO’s top oboist alleged Carney had sexually harassed and retaliated against her for refusing to have sex with him in 2005. An internal probe found he made lewd comments to Katherine Needleman, but did not find she was a victim of sexual harassment.

Carney is in his 16th season with the BSO. The New Jersey native previously played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He also serves as artistic director for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras.

WBAL-TV 11 lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller contributed to this report.

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