“Awadagin Pratt has been relieved of his position of artistic director of the Cincinnati World Piano Competition,” writes Janelle Gelfand in Friday’s (7/10) Cincinnati Enquirer (Ohio). “Pratt said on Thursday that he received an e-mail Wednesday evening from executive director Mark Ernster, thanking him for his services which would no longer be needed.… Jack Rouse, who was serving as board chair, confirmed that he and two other board members resigned on Wednesday…. The shakeup followed a board meeting on Wednesday…. The competition’s partners, CCM and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra … said …that the partners ‘were not party to this decision. We remain supportive of Mr. Pratt’s artistic leadership and what he has brought to the competition, as well as the CWPC and its mission. We are carefully assessing the situation and determining how best to proceed,’ said their statement released on Friday.… Cincinnati World Piano Competition has just completed its season with an uptick in attendance and a sold-out audience for the finals.… Interest in the Cincinnati World Piano Competition, founded in 1956, has increased since it formed new partnerships with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in 2013.”
Posted July 13, 2015
