The New York Philharmonic has decided to terminate principal oboist Liang Wang and associate principal trumpet Matthew Muckey, following the union’s decision not to challenge their dismissal amidst new allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The official termination notice for Wang and Muckey will take effect on September 21, 2025.
Wang and Muckey were initially fired in September 2018 after allegations of misconduct dating back to 2010 surfaced. The American Federation of Musicians’ Local 802 filed a grievance, and an arbitrator ordered the two men’s reinstatement in April 2020. Both Wang and Muckey have continuously denied any wrongdoing.
However, in April, New York Magazine published a detailed account of the allegations, leading the Philharmonic to place the musicians on paid leave. Subsequently, Wang and Muckey initiated lawsuits against both the orchestra and the union.
The nine-member dismissal review committee of Local 802 expressed unanimous revulsion at the alleged abuse of power and pattern of behavior by Wang and Muckey, detailed in a nine-page decision released on Tuesday. Philharmonic Executive Adviser Deborah Borda disclosed that 11 women had accused Wang and three had accused Muckey during the latest investigation. Borda elaborated, “It found that both gentlemen had been involved in sexual abuse and rape as well as abuse of power. This is all new information that came out, and I think the reason is that people were afraid to speak up before and they are not now.” She noted that some allegations were made by students.
Steven J. Hyman, Muckey’s lawyer, strongly criticized the union’s decision, labeling it a “baseless smear campaign” and claiming it ignored evidence that contradicted the allegations. “Local 802’s decision is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about potential collusion with the Philharmonic in their effort to terminate Matthew Muckey without just cause,” Hyman stated, referencing a 2008 encounter with a young woman who, according to contemporaneous text messages, did provide meaningful consent.
Alan S. Lewis, representing Wang, described the union’s decision as “shameful” and accused the Philharmonic of engaging in public character assassination rather than adhering to due process. “Troublingly, the philharmonic has gone down the road of public character assassination instead of due process, throwing a lot of mud against the wall to see what sticks,” Lewis wrote. He emphasized that the most serious allegation against Wang involved a consensual relationship with someone unaffiliated with the orchestra from over a decade ago.
The Philharmonic hired Tracey Levy of Levy Employment Law to conduct an investigation in the spring, leading to the issuance of a letter of non-reengagement on October 15. According to the orchestra, Levy’s conclusions were based on new accusations. Muckey’s lawsuit contends that the New York Magazine article merely reiterated earlier allegations from 2010.
Local 802’s executive committee noted that in Wang’s case, 11 witnesses testified to instances of rape, sexual assault, grooming, inappropriate touching, unwelcome kissing, and other forms of sexual harassment. A woman six years junior to Muckey testified they had sex when she was too incapacitated by alcohol to consent willingly.
The report emphasized that while the allegations against Muckey are fewer, they reflect a comparable abuse of power and a disregard for a woman’s consent. Under the orchestra’s labor contract, a notice of non-reengagement has to be given by February 15 for the following season. Wang and Muckey had the right to contest the decision if appropriate under the collective bargaining agreement rather than a just-cause standard.
Local 802 President Sara Cutler informed orchestra members in an email that the union decided not to arbitrate the termination. The executive board clarified that it was not determining whether criminal conduct occurred but whether the non-reengagement notices were appropriate. Given the testimony of witnesses and the observed patterns of behavior, the board expressed skepticism over Wang’s and Muckey’s denials and the lack of contrition shown by both men.
Additionally, two-thirds of orchestra members indicated they would refuse to perform on stage with Wang and Muckey.
Muckey joined the orchestra in June 2006 and earned tenure in January 2008, while Wang began as principal oboist in September 2006.
“They are barred from the building,” Borda affirmed. “They will never appear on the stage again with the Philharmonic.”
