After filing an appeal it’s been determined that the disorderly oboist Pierre Roy will not get his job back with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Roy filed a lawsuit about his termination from the orchestra for being disruptive to the disapproval of his fellow bandmates.
It’s been reported that U.S. District Judge Michael A. Telesca refused to overturn the decision that held onto the 2012 firing of Mr. Roy. The oboist was one of the orchestra's principal musicians for over 15 years.
For his fellow musicians, Roy’s deliberate and intentional decision to play off-tempo or off-pitch was viewed as a form of sabotage to his chambermates. In response to the accusations, then, Roy began to berate his co-workers with off-color or insensitive remarks and even going so far as to make wide gestures to distract them from performing.
Via complaints lodged by the orchestra, Roy also engaged in physical confrontations with other musicians and mocked them when viewed negatively.
A judge wrote that Roy “defiantly questioned the maestro’s direction … and made off-color remarks to his colleagues that were perceived as insensitive or offensive.”
However there are other reports that several musicians supported Roy and noted a positive relationship with the musician. As is the case with workplace disputes, though, many who are questioned or input their own view prefer to remain off the record, so quoting any kind of evidence becomes a much harder task.
For Roy, 51, who trained at the New England Conservatory for Music, the decision to terminate his tenure post-appeal doesn’t sit well with the Amherst resident.
Where he will go, no one knows, but now his resume must read “doesn’t play well with others.”
Despite his temperament, Roy was a spectacular oboist, as evidenced in the video below.
