Key Points
- Pianist Jayson Gillham’s concert was cancelled after he played a solo “dedicated to the journalists of Gaza”.
- As a response to the cancellation, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) musicians submitted a vote of no confidence to the board.
- Australian band The Cat Empire postponed scheduled shows 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 in support of journalists who died in Gaza after the move sparked a vote of no confidence.
Jayson Gillham was due to perform at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday
The organisation said the removal was due to “safety concerns”.
In response, MSO musicians submitted a vote of no confidence to the board on Friday which they said had been supported by an “overwhelming majority vote”.
Members said in a letter that senior management no longer led the organisation “in accordance with the MSO’s values and behaviours”.
“The gravity of the current situation faced by the organisation this week concerning the cancellation of Jayson Gillham as soloist has only served to highlight these issues and demonstrate this continued pattern of behaviour,” they wrote.
The musicians called for the orchestra’s managing director Sophie Galaise and chief operating officer Guy Ross to immediately stand down.
They also requested an independent investigation into the cancellation of Gillham’s concert and the standard of leadership as a whole.
The orchestra released a statement acknowledging the letter and announcing an independent external review of policies, procedures and processes.
It said there would also be an investigation into the events leading up to the decision to remove Gillham from the performance.
“The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is determined to ensure we have the protocols in place that are fit for purpose for our organisation and the role we play within the community,” the statement said.
“The review will help ensure our policies and processes reflect best practice in the contemporary environment.”
The Cat Empire postpone show over Gillham’s cancellation
Also on Friday, Australian band The Cat Empire postponed scheduled shows at Hamer Hall, stating its members “value the principles of freedom of speech, artistic expression, and inclusivity”.
“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 have been put in an uncomfortable situation.”
The Cat Empire said they hoped the shows would go ahead once the orchestra resolved the situation, adding “these changes align with our beliefs as a band”.
