Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Sued Over DEI Controversy
Jan 14, 2026 by FACT
A Tennessee musician is taking a stand against discriminatory DEI practices in the music industry.
Clarinet player James Zimmermann has filed a lawsuit against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra after it rescinded its offer of employment once discovering his views on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which previously led to his ousting from the Nashville Symphony. Zimmermann shared a statement and video on social media after filing the lawsuit:
After Zimmermann’s audition in which he was approved unanimously by the board, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s CEO, Rachel Ford, sent him the following email:
Zimmermann believes the email is referencing his experience with the Nashville Symphony, where he was the principal clarinet from 2008 until 2020, when he was “canceled” for sounding the alarm about the unfairness of diversity hiring.
"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," Zimmerman shared. "All this does is lower the quality of the music, alienate audiences and turn the arts into politics."
Zimmermann noted that his initial warnings “fell on deaf ears,” but six years later, people are ready to listen. The climate surrounding DEI has radically shifted since his first encounter with the movement in 2020.
"There are still detractors out there, but they're vastly outnumbered by people wanting to push back against the insanity of DEI. 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,” Zimmerman explained.
DEI has no place in Tennessee – it is a doctrine rooted in racism and ignorance. We agree with President Trump: “Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex.”
Clarinet player James Zimmermann has filed a lawsuit against the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra after it rescinded its offer of employment once discovering his views on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which previously led to his ousting from the Nashville Symphony. Zimmermann shared a statement and video on social media after filing the lawsuit:
In September, the Knoxville Symphony invited me to their blind audition for Principal Clarinet, which I won by unanimous vote. Two days later, their CEO called and refused to hire me, citing my ousting from the Nashville Symphony six years ago for resisting DEI as the reason, and instead gave the job to my runner-up, an obvious DEI hire who’s still in college.
In response, I sued the Knoxville Symphony two weeks ago for a year’s salary plus $25k for the 100 hours I spent practicing for the audition. This isn’t just about money though, it’s also about pushing back against these symphony CEOs who continue to put race and politics above merit and skill. Someone has to save our symphonies from being sacrificed on the altar of “diversity” and no one is better positioned to do it than me. Wish I didn’t have to do it but I’m doing it anyway.
In response, I sued the Knoxville Symphony two weeks ago for a year’s salary plus $25k for the 100 hours I spent practicing for the audition. This isn’t just about money though, it’s also about pushing back against these symphony CEOs who continue to put race and politics above merit and skill. Someone has to save our symphonies from being sacrificed on the altar of “diversity” and no one is better positioned to do it than me. Wish I didn’t have to do it but I’m doing it anyway.
I was excited to take the stage with the Knoxville Symphony but instead I’ll see them in court. If Knoxville thought I’d walk away from this they were sorely mistaken.
Watch the video announcement by clicking the image below:
[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 believes the email is referencing his experience with the Nashville Symphony, where he was the principal clarinet from 2008 until 2020, when he was “canceled” for sounding the alarm about the unfairness of diversity hiring.
"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," Zimmerman shared. "All this does is lower the quality of the music, alienate audiences and turn the arts into politics."
Zimmermann noted that his initial warnings “fell on deaf ears,” but six years later, people are ready to listen. The climate surrounding DEI has radically shifted since his first encounter with the movement in 2020.
"There are still detractors out there, but they're vastly outnumbered by people wanting to push back against the insanity of DEI. 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,” Zimmerman explained.
DEI has no place in Tennessee – it is a doctrine rooted in racism and ignorance. We agree with President Trump: “Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex.”
