That principle evidently has to do with the orchestra's decision to create a new position, first associate concertmaster. The chair would be the number-two spot in the first violin section (and the orchestra membership), behind concertmaster William Preucil — effectively demoting dePasquale to third place. Orchestra management notified her and other musicians of the new post in October, according to The Plain Dealer.

Cleveland Orchestra executive director Gary Hanson told the paper that the new is being created "to strengthen the leadership at the front of the [first-violin] section." He did not elaborate.

DePasquale, who was appointed associate concertmaster in 1999 by then-music director Christoph von Dohnšnyi, has a serious orchestral pedigree: six of her relatives have been string players with the Philadelphia Orchestra, including her father, Robert, who was for many years associate principal second violin there.

She told The Plain Dealer that she would depart from the orchestra at the end of this summer's season at the Blossom Music Center outside Cleveland. After that, she said, "I'd like to play in a great orchestra, like to teach, like to play chamber music. At this point, I'd like to take my chances and see what comes up for me."