Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to conduct review after cancelling pianist

Jayson Gillham performing at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2013. Photo / Getty Images

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra 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 but the concert was cancelled after he played a solo “dedicated to the journalists of Gaza”.

The organisation said the removal was due to “safety concerns”.

In response, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (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 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.

MSO Statement, 16 August. The Board of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will conduct an independent external review into...

Posted by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on Friday 16 August 2024

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.”

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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”.