An “overwhelming majority” of the musicians of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) have expressed no confidence in the orchestra’s senior management in the wake of the MSO’s decision to cancel a performance by pianist Jayson Gilham.

In a letter communicating the result of a meeting held on the evening of 15 August – the evening Gilham’s concert was to have taken place – the musicians of the MSO delivered a broadside to Managing Director Sophie Galaise and Chief Operating Officer Guy Ross.

“We believe it is the duty of senior management to lead and manage in accordance with the MSO’s Values and Behaviours, however it has become apparent that these values no longer appear to be aligned with those of the Orchestra and staff,” began the letter.

“Furthermore, despite ongoing attempts to engage with senior leadership and provide feedback through formal channels; including committee consultations, employee culture surveys and internal grievance procedures, the response from management has been insufficient, and in many cases dismissive.”

The letter went on to criticise the MSO leadership for a workplace characterised by poor communication, a lack of accountability and declining morale. The treatment of Jayson Gillham, said the letter, demonstrated a “continued pattern of behaviour”.

The letter concluded with a call for Galaise and Ross to step down and for an investigation into the decision-making process behind Gillham’s cancelled performance.

Jayson Gillham during a UK fund raising concert for Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Photo © Abhishek Kodaganallur Pichumani

The vote of no confidence compounds the woes faced by MSO management since its decision to cancel Gillham’s concert after he played Witness, a short piano work by Connor D’Netto dedicated to journalists killed in the Gaza conflict. In introductory remarks to the work, Gillham asserted that the Israeli Defense Force deliberately targets journalists (a claim the IDF has frequently denied).

Ticket holders for Gillham’s next appearance with the MSO were informed on the morning of the performance that the event was cancelled due to unspecified “safety concerns”.

The MSO now finds itself in a world of pain, drawing criticism for its actions from the The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Australian Music Students’ Association.

Then came an announcement from Melbourne band The Cat Empire, which withdrew from three concerts with the MSO at Hamer Hall on 22, 23 and 24 August.

“We are writing with deep sadness regarding the recent cancellation of pianist Jayson Gillham’s concert with the MSO, following his dedication of a music composition to journalists killed in Gaza,” said the statement released via the band’s social media channels.

“We value the principles of freedom of speech, artistic expression, and inclusivity. Therefore, in good conscience, we’ve made the decision to postpone next week’s shows at Hamer Hall.”