“Bozeman Symphony’s board of directors is investigating a series of wide-ranging allegations against music director and conductor Matthew Savery, a lawyer for the board confirmed,” reports Rachel Hergett in Friday’s (2/1) Bozeman Daily Chronicle (Montana). “The claims were made in a letter to the board dated Jan. 23…. ‘Of paramount concern is the bullying, harassment, mistreatment, discrimination and inappropriate behavior we have experienced, seen and heard from the current Music Director, Matthew Savery, toward our local and guest musicians, BSO administrative staff, and donors,’ the letter states. The letter asked that Savery and complicit board members be immediately removed or suspended while an impartial investigation of the complaints is completed…. Savery told the Chronicle he learned of the allegations and the board’s investigation Friday afternoon. ‘I’m prepared to cooperate fully,’ he said. ‘I’m fully confident that the investigation will reveal no wrongdoing.’ … The board has hired a third-party investigator … and hopes to have results of that investigation by the end of the month…. The letter to the symphony board was signed by 14 people, including former and present musicians, staff members and donors…. Denis Prager, who was a board member from 2010 to 2016 and board chair from 2013 to 2016, also contributed to the complaint.”
Posted February 5, 2019
