BOZEMAN, Mont. — The conductor of the Bozeman Symphony, Matthew Savery, has resigned amid an investigation into allegations that he bullied and harassed musicians, staff and patrons. Savery had also been the conductor and music director of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra in Casper until May 2018.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports the outside investigation into Savery will continue after he tendered his resignation Thursday with the symphony’s board of directors.
Savery did not address the investigation in a statement made Friday afternoon through his lawyers. He has previously denied the allegations.
“Matthew Savery will be voluntarily leaving his position as Music Director and Conductor with the Bozeman Symphony,” the statement read. “Matthew expresses his gratitude for and appreciation to the Symphony for the opportunity to serve and is grateful for his time with the exceptional musicians who have made the Symphony a success. He is thankful to the donors and community who have supported live symphonic music in Bozeman and who will continue to do so in the future. He wishes nothing but success for the Symphony in the future and encourages the community to continue in its support going forward.”
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A complaint letter detailing allegations against Savery during his tenure in Bozeman was sent to the Star-Tribune recently. It also included an allegation that Savery made unprofessional comments to the Bozeman Symphony about the Wyoming Symphony staff.
“Why he discussed Wyoming so much was not clear to me in the office, but it was clearly an unprofessional conversation every time,” read the complaint, which was directed to the Bozeman Symphony board.
The letter said the comments were made numerous times from 2012-13. That complaint was made by a former employee in the Bozeman Symphony office who did not share their name.
Other complaints in the letter were also anonymous, while some were attributed to Else Trygstad-Burke, a former musician; Denis J. Prager, a former board member, chair and donor; and Lori Rosolowsky, a former season ticket holder, donor, volunteer and guest coordinator.
When contacted last week about the Bozeman investigation, Wyoming Symphony board president Valerie Maiers gave the following response in an email:
“Related to your inquiry: The Wyoming Symphony Orchestra is looking forward to our upcoming March concert with the final guest Conductor as we conclude our Conductor search this season with all the exciting possibilities this search will yield.”
Maiers did not immediately respond to another request for comment following Savery’s resignation.
Multiple members of the Wyoming Symphony told the Star-Tribune they were advised by the symphony not to speak to media about the matter.
The Bozeman Symphony board hired an attorney with a Helena law firm to investigate claims that Savery exhibited a pattern of harassment and bullying over his 25-year tenure with the Bozeman Symphony.
Lilia Tyrrell, a partner at the Bozeman law firm that represents the board, says the investigation is expected to be completed in mid-March.