Key Points
- Pianist Jayson Gillham’s concert was canceled after he played a solo “dedicated to journalists in Gaza”.
- In response to the cancellation, musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) submitted a vote of no confidence to the board.
- Australian band The Cat Empire have postponed their scheduled concerts at Hamer Hall, in solidarity with Gillham.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will launch an independent review of the decision to remove a pianist who spoke out in support of journalists who died in Gaza after the decision triggered a vote of no confidence.
Jayson Gillham was due to perform at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday.
The organization said the removal was due to “security concerns.”
In response, MSO musicians submitted a vote of no confidence to the board on Friday that they said was supported by an “overwhelming majority.”
The members said in a letter that senior management was no longer leading the organization “in accordance with the values and behaviors of the OSM.”
“The severity of the current situation facing the organization this week regarding the cancellation of Jayson Gillham as a soloist has only highlighted these issues and demonstrated this ongoing pattern of behavior,” they wrote .
The musicians demanded the immediate resignation of the orchestra’s general director, Sophie Galaise, and the head of operations, Guy Ross.
They also called for an independent investigation into the cancellation of the Gillham concert and the level of leadership overall.
The orchestra released a statement acknowledging receipt of the letter and announcing an independent external review of policies, procedures and processes.
He said an investigation would also be launched into the events leading up to the decision to remove Gillham from representation.
“The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is committed to ensuring we have protocols in place that are appropriate for our organization and the role we play in the community,” the statement said.
“The review will help ensure our policies and processes reflect best practice in the contemporary environment.”
The Cat Empire postpones show following Gillham cancellation
Also Friday, Australian band The Cat Empire postponed its scheduled concerts at Hamer Hall, saying its members “value the principles of freedom of speech, artistic expression and inclusiveness.”
“We strongly support Jayson and the talented musicians in the orchestra, many of whom are our friends and contemporaries,” the band said in a statement.
“They too find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.”
The Cat Empire said it hoped the concerts would go ahead once the orchestra resolved the situation, adding that “these changes align with our beliefs as a band.”
