Blab Music
Cleveland Institute of Music Names Tito Munoz Director and Principal Conductor of Its Orchestra
The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) has announced that Tito Muñoz will take the helm as Director and Principal Conductor of its orchestra, a position that will begin with the fall 2026 semester. Alongside the appointment, CIM named Anthony Parnther as Principal Guest Conductor and confirmed that Harry Davidson will continue as Music Director of the CIM Opera Theater.
Muñoz stepped in as interim Principal Conductor during the 2025‑26 academic year, a stint that earned him praise for his energetic leadership and dedication to student growth. In his new role, he will conduct three orchestra concerts each season and collaborate closely with faculty, guest artists and the student body. The conductor will also mentor graduate students in the program’s conductor training track, guiding them through mock auditions, one‑on‑one coaching and special projects designed to prepare them for professional orchestral careers.
"What drew me to CIM is the extraordinary level of talent, curiosity, and commitment I see in its students," Muñoz said. "A conservatory orchestra should be a place where young musicians are challenged to perform at the highest artistic level while also developing the confidence, versatility, and collaborative skills they will need throughout their careers."
Muñoz’s appointment follows a successful interim period in which he steered the orchestra through a series of high‑profile performances and educational initiatives. His résumé includes music‑directing roles with the Phoenix Symphony, Opéra national de Lorraine, and the Orchestre symphonique et lyrique de Nancy, as well as guest conducting engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Parnther will conduct one orchestra program each academic year and will work in tandem with the CIM Orchestra, the CIM Opera Theater and the New Music Ensemble. The position is intended to bring a wide spectrum of experience—from the concert hall to the opera stage and recording studio—to the conservatory’s students.
"I look forward to sharing my experience across the concert hall, opera stage, and recording studio while encouraging students to approach every opportunity with curiosity, excellence and a spirit of service through music," Parnther said.
Executive Vice President and Provost Scott Harrison praised Muñoz’s impact during his interim tenure. "He has inspired students through his dynamic podium presence, thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to their development," Harrison said. He added that pairing Muñoz with Parnther and Davidson will provide students with unparalleled artistic and career perspectives while further elevating the CIM Orchestra’s reputation for excellence.
Founded in 1920, CIM is a private music conservatory in Cleveland, Ohio, enrolling 325 students in its conservatory program and about 1,500 in preparatory and continuing‑education programs. Faculty include many musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra, and alumni occupy positions in major orchestras worldwide.
The new leadership structure signals CIM’s continued focus on high‑level orchestral training and performance. Muñoz’s tenure will begin with the fall 2026 semester, and the orchestra’s season will feature the three concerts he will conduct, supplemented by performances with guest conductors and artists. Parnther’s first guest appearance is scheduled for the 2026‑27 academic year.
In the coming months, CIM will release the detailed concert schedule, audition dates for the graduate conductor training program, and the lineup of guest artists for the 2026‑27 season. Updates will be posted on the conservatory’s website and social‑media channels.
The appointments of Muñoz and Parnther reinforce CIM’s reputation as a leading institution for orchestral education and performance. With experienced conductors at the helm, students will benefit from expanded mentorship opportunities and a broadened network of professional contacts.
The CIM Orchestra will continue to perform in Cleveland and beyond, while the Opera Theater and New Music Ensemble will maintain their regular production and performance calendars under the guidance of their respective directors. The conservatory’s leadership team remains committed to fostering artistic excellence and preparing the next generation of musicians for successful careers in the classical music field.
Muñoz stepped in as interim Principal Conductor during the 2025‑26 academic year, a stint that earned him praise for his energetic leadership and dedication to student growth. In his new role, he will conduct three orchestra concerts each season and collaborate closely with faculty, guest artists and the student body. The conductor will also mentor graduate students in the program’s conductor training track, guiding them through mock auditions, one‑on‑one coaching and special projects designed to prepare them for professional orchestral careers.
"What drew me to CIM is the extraordinary level of talent, curiosity, and commitment I see in its students," Muñoz said. "A conservatory orchestra should be a place where young musicians are challenged to perform at the highest artistic level while also developing the confidence, versatility, and collaborative skills they will need throughout their careers."
Muñoz’s appointment follows a successful interim period in which he steered the orchestra through a series of high‑profile performances and educational initiatives. His résumé includes music‑directing roles with the Phoenix Symphony, Opéra national de Lorraine, and the Orchestre symphonique et lyrique de Nancy, as well as guest conducting engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Parnther will conduct one orchestra program each academic year and will work in tandem with the CIM Orchestra, the CIM Opera Theater and the New Music Ensemble. The position is intended to bring a wide spectrum of experience—from the concert hall to the opera stage and recording studio—to the conservatory’s students.
"I look forward to sharing my experience across the concert hall, opera stage, and recording studio while encouraging students to approach every opportunity with curiosity, excellence and a spirit of service through music," Parnther said.
Executive Vice President and Provost Scott Harrison praised Muñoz’s impact during his interim tenure. "He has inspired students through his dynamic podium presence, thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to their development," Harrison said. He added that pairing Muñoz with Parnther and Davidson will provide students with unparalleled artistic and career perspectives while further elevating the CIM Orchestra’s reputation for excellence.
Founded in 1920, CIM is a private music conservatory in Cleveland, Ohio, enrolling 325 students in its conservatory program and about 1,500 in preparatory and continuing‑education programs. Faculty include many musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra, and alumni occupy positions in major orchestras worldwide.
The new leadership structure signals CIM’s continued focus on high‑level orchestral training and performance. Muñoz’s tenure will begin with the fall 2026 semester, and the orchestra’s season will feature the three concerts he will conduct, supplemented by performances with guest conductors and artists. Parnther’s first guest appearance is scheduled for the 2026‑27 academic year.
In the coming months, CIM will release the detailed concert schedule, audition dates for the graduate conductor training program, and the lineup of guest artists for the 2026‑27 season. Updates will be posted on the conservatory’s website and social‑media channels.
The appointments of Muñoz and Parnther reinforce CIM’s reputation as a leading institution for orchestral education and performance. With experienced conductors at the helm, students will benefit from expanded mentorship opportunities and a broadened network of professional contacts.
The CIM Orchestra will continue to perform in Cleveland and beyond, while the Opera Theater and New Music Ensemble will maintain their regular production and performance calendars under the guidance of their respective directors. The conservatory’s leadership team remains committed to fostering artistic excellence and preparing the next generation of musicians for successful careers in the classical music field.
