Manhattan School of Music Opens External Investigation For Faculty Member

The Manhattan School of Music (MSM) has released a statement responding to investigative reporter Sammy Sussman's article in Vulture, a part of New York Magazine, outlining allegations of misconduct by Liang Wang and Matthew Muckey against former NY Philharmonic horn player, Cara Kizer, in 2010.

Liang joined the MSM Precollege faculty in 2011 but is now on leave from the school, according to his faculty page on MSM's website. 

"Recent reporting in New York magazine's Vulture cites an alleged sexual assault committed by members of the New York Philharmonic, one of whom is a member of Manhattan School of Music (MSM)'s Precollege faculty," reads the school's statement on Facebook. "MSM has opened an external investigation into the reports. As is appropriate under the circumstances, the faculty member has been placed on leave pending resolution of the investigation.

"Although none of the alleged conduct reported in the article took place under the auspices of MSM, the School is taking the report with the utmost seriousness," it continues. "Ensuring the safety and well-being of the School Community is central to our Mission and essential to preserving our nurturing and supportive learning environment. Protection of students, faculty, staff, and all who enter our doors has been fundamental to the School since its founding by Janet Daniels Schenck 106 years ago.

"Lauren Mack of Sage Intelligence Group will be conducting MSM's external investigation into this matter," the statement concludes. 

Recently, Liang has been similarly withdrawn from the faculty of the Taipei Music Academy and Festival.

In 2018, following an independent investigation by a former federal judge, the NY Phil fired Wang and Muckey that year, but was forced to reinstate them in 2020 with back pay when an arbitrator and their union decided they were "terminated without cause."

Still listed on NY Phil's roster as principal oboe and associate principal trumpet, a spokesperson for the orchestra recently told The Violin Channel that "for the time being, Matthew Muckey and Liang Wang will not be at rehearsals or performances." 

Recently, NY Phil's president and CEO Gary Ginstling also released a statement to the NY Phil community regarding the misconduct allegations, noting that "nothing is more important than the culture of our orchestra and the safety of our musicians and staff."