Renowned Oberlin Conservatory Professor and Organist James David Christie Resigns After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

World-renowned organist James David Christie recently resigned from his position as a conservatory professor at Oberlin College amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.

Scott Wargo, a spokesperson for Oberlin College confirmed Friday that on Aug. 10th, the college’s Title IX coordinator took a report alleging that Christie had violated Oberlin’s sexual misconduct policy by engaging in inappropriate behavior with students. The college informed Christie of the allegations Aug. 11th and immediately placed him on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Christie immediately offered his resignation.

Wellesley College and the Holy Cross church in Boston are both conducting similar investigations regarding Christie's alleged sexual indecency and indiscretions.

The alleged abuse took place over the course of a few decades.

According to Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar's Thursday letter to the college community, Christie's actions are a clear violation of the university policy:

“The sexual misconduct policy explicitly prohibits sexual relationships between employees and students, including relationships that are consensual, because of the potential negative impact on individuals as well as on the college’s learning and working community,” she wrote. “I believe strongly that as a community, we can have no greater goal than to ensure that Oberlin’s educational environment is safe, fair, equitable, and inclusive to the highest ethical and academic standards, and that it is free of all forms of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and violence.”

Christie is the second member of Northeast Ohio's classical music community to be accused of sexual abuse this summer, following the investigation of Cleveland Orchestra Concertmaster and Cleveland Institute of Music professor William Preucil.

Pages that appear to have at one time linked to a teaching profile for Christie on the Oberlin and Wellesley college website now appear with 404 error messages.