In this piece, Steve Vettese addresses a concerning behavior involving Alex Klein, former principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic, who sought and announced an autism diagnosis only after being terminated from his Calgary post.

In his reply, oboist Alex Klein detailed accusations against two of his former students. He claimed that #1 had fabricated an affair and shared altered screenshots online to make it look legitimate, and that #2, his former student who he hired on as a teaching assistant, tried to report him on #1 student’s behalf. In the same email, Alex made several misogynistic and defamatory remarks about oboist Katherine Needleman. He made crude insinuations about how she was obtained her

I’ve watched the Coalition of Musicians for Ethical Change (CMEC) remain silent, deflect, and align with those protecting power over people. I once offered my support to CMEC. I can no longer do so in good conscience.

I’m in the trenches of social media this week engaging directly with influential figures in horn playing—on Facebook timelines and comment threads—where critical issues of discrimination, competition bias, and gender equity are often dismissed or distorted.

Carney’s misconduct wasn’t an open secret—it was a documented fact. Artistic legacy means nothing if built on the backs of silenced victims.

"This isn’t just about one individual—it’s about dismantling a culture that allows abuse to persist in classical music institutions."