The San Antonio Philharmonic has filed a lawsuit against Harmonium of Texas and its founder, the former music director of the Philharmonic.
In the suit, filed Tuesday in federal district court, the Philharmonic alleges Jeffrey Kahane misled the organization when he resigned in January, roughly midway through his three-year commitment.
“Kahane represented that he needed to resign because he was required to return to full-time teaching at the University of Southern California,” the suit states. “Shortly after the Termination Agreement was announced, Mr. Kahane publicly organized, led, fundraised for, and competed through a new San Antonio orchestra.”
The suit also alleges that Kahane used “trade secrets” to which he had access – including donor lists and an email marketing list – to assist him in starting the competing orchestra. It alleges that the use of that information threatens irreparable harm to the Philharmonic.
RELATED:
Acclaimed conductor launching new orchestra in San Antonio
The suit requests a jury trial and seeks damages to be determined at that trial. It also seeks for Harmonium to be prohibited from using the trade secrets and for that information to either be returned to the Philharmonic or destroyed.
The suit was filed the day before the Harmonium musicians were to begin rehearsals for the orchestra’s debut season, which kicks off on Friday.
“The decision to commence this action was not made lightly, but it was necessary to protect our rights and interests,” Robert Treviño, the Philharmonic’s executive director, said via text. “The facts set forth in the complaint speak for themselves. We will allow the judicial process to take its course.”
Harmonium board Chairman Jim Berg said he had no comment on the lawsuit. Kahane did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Harmonium’s concert this weekend is the start of a full season of performances slated to run through June 6.
The Philharmonic has not announced a concert season for 2026-27. Treviño said the orchestra is finalizing logistics for the season, which is being planned by interim Music Director Felipe Tristán.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story.
Subscribe
There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.
This article originally published at San Antonio Philharmonic sues new Harmonium of Texas orchestra and its founder.
