KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A veteran clarinetist who once led the woodwind section of the Nashville Symphony is taking legal action against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, alleging that the ensemble rejected him for a principal position despite his success in a blind audition. James Zimmermann, 52, announced on social media platform X on Monday that he filed the lawsuit several weeks ago in the aftermath of what he described as a merit-based victory in September. The suit claims discrimination based on his previous public opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the classical music world.
According to Zimmermann, he auditioned for the principal clarinet role at the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and advanced through the blind process, where musicians perform behind a screen to ensure selections are based solely on sound. He said he was informed shortly after that he would not be offered the contract. In an email from KSO CEO Rachel Ford, which Zimmermann shared publicly, Ford wrote: "[B]ased on a number of items which have come to the attention of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra regarding your employment with the Nashville Symphony, I regret to inform you that the KSO has decided not to move forward with offering you a contract of employment."
Zimmermann, who served as principal clarinetist with the Nashville Symphony from 2008 to 2020, attributes the rejection to his history of speaking out against what he views as DEI policies that prioritize demographics over talent. In 2020, he was terminated from the Nashville ensemble after resisting efforts to integrate diversity quotas into hiring and programming, according to reports from the Washington Free Beacon in 2021. Zimmermann has described those policies as undermining the meritocratic traditions of orchestral auditions, a cornerstone of the industry since the 1970s when blind screens were introduced to combat bias.
The lawsuit, filed in Knox County Circuit Court, seeks one year's salary for the position—estimated at around $100,000 based on industry standards—plus an additional $25,000 to cover the time Zimmermann invested in preparing for the audition. He claims the role ultimately went to a younger musician still in college, whom he characterized as an "obvious DEI hire." Zimmermann emphasized in a video announcement on X that his action is not just personal but a stand for the integrity of classical music. "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."
"No question there's been more support in 2024 than there was in 2020. Six years ago, when the Nashville Symphony was being overtaken by DEI, I sounded the alarm, but it fell on deaf ears. My colleagues thought I was conspiratorial or downright crazy. It's different now though," Zimmermann told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
The KSO has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations. Ford, in a brief comment to Fox News Digital, indicated that the orchestra plans to make a public announcement on the matter later this week. As of Tuesday, the ensemble's website listed the principal clarinet position as filled but provided no further details on the hiring process or the individual's background.
Zimmermann's case arrives amid growing national scrutiny of DEI programs in the arts and beyond. Classical music organizations, long criticized for their lack of racial and gender diversity, have increasingly adopted such initiatives following the 2020 racial justice protests. The League of American Orchestras, a trade group, reported in 2022 that over 80% of major U.S. symphonies had implemented DEI training or hiring goals by that year. However, critics like Zimmermann argue that these efforts can veer into reverse discrimination, particularly in blind auditions designed to eliminate bias.
His experience in Nashville offers key context for the Knoxville suit. During his tenure there, Zimmermann publicly opposed a push by the symphony's management to diversify the orchestra's roster, including proposals to consider applicants' backgrounds alongside their performances. In emails and meetings documented in prior reporting, he warned that such changes could erode the ensemble's artistic excellence. The Nashville Symphony's board ultimately sided with leadership, leading to his dismissal in late 2020. Zimmermann, who holds a degree from the Juilliard School and has performed with ensembles across the U.S., described the firing as a "cancellation" driven by ideological differences rather than professional shortcomings.
Supporters of DEI in the arts counter that historical exclusion has left orchestras overwhelmingly white and male, with data from the National Endowment for the Arts showing that only about 2% of orchestral musicians are Black, despite broader demographic shifts. Organizations like the Sphinx Organization, which promotes diversity in classical music, have praised symphonies for taking steps to broaden representation, arguing it enriches the art form and attracts new audiences. Neither the KSO nor the Nashville Symphony has publicly detailed their specific DEI policies in response to Zimmermann's claims.
In his interview with Fox News Digital, Zimmermann reiterated his commitment to merit-based hiring. "There are still detractors out there, but they're vastly outnumbered by people wanting to push back against the insanity of DEI," he said. "A blind audition is the most meritocratic system imaginable, and it's clear that people see Knoxville's refusal to hire me as an attack on meritocracy. You don't have to be a symphony aficionado to understand how outrageous this is." He noted a shift in industry sentiment since 2020, with more musicians and patrons voicing concerns about politicization in the arts.
The timing of the lawsuit coincides with broader cultural debates over DEI, as some corporations and institutions scale back such programs amid legal challenges and political pressure. For instance, the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against affirmative action in college admissions has emboldened lawsuits alleging discrimination in employment. Zimmermann's case could test whether blind auditions provide ironclad protection against post-selection scrutiny of a candidate's views or history.
Legal experts familiar with employment discrimination cases say the suit faces hurdles, as orchestras are private entities with wide latitude in hiring. However, if Zimmermann can demonstrate that his anti-DEI stance was the decisive factor, it might invoke protections under Tennessee's anti-retaliation laws or federal civil rights statutes. The KSO, founded in 1935 and known for its community outreach in East Tennessee, has not commented on potential DEI involvement in the hiring decision.
As the story develops, the orchestral community watches closely. Zimmermann's announcement on X garnered thousands of views and supportive comments from fellow musicians, some sharing similar stories of perceived ideological gatekeeping. Others defended the KSO's discretion, arguing that past controversies could legitimately influence team dynamics in a collaborative field like symphony performance.
The lawsuit's outcome may influence how symphonies balance artistic merit with institutional values. For now, Zimmermann continues to perform as a freelance clarinetist, teaching at universities and advocating for what he calls a return to blind-audition purity. The KSO's forthcoming statement could clarify the ensemble's position, potentially shedding light on the email's reference to his Nashville tenure. Until then, the case underscores tensions in an industry striving for inclusivity without sacrificing its core traditions.
In Knoxville, where the symphony draws about 50,000 attendees annually to venues like the Tennessee Theatre, the dispute has sparked local interest. Audience members interviewed by local outlets expressed mixed views, with some praising efforts to modernize the arts and others echoing Zimmermann's call for skill above all. As preparations begin for the KSO's 2024-2025 season, the shadow of the lawsuit looms over what promises to be a pivotal moment for the orchestra.