The Society of Composers & Lyricists, which describes itself as “the premier organization for professional songwriters and composers working in film and other visual media” and counts all of this year’s Oscar-nominated songwriters as members, is calling on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to walk back its recently announced decision to remove the performances of Oscar-nominated songs from this year’s Oscars telecast.

In a letter sent on Friday to the Academy’s CEO, president and board of governors, as well as to the producers of the March 2 Oscars telecast, Scl president Ashley Irwin said the organization’s members are “disappointed” in the Academy’s decision, calling it “just another example of the devaluation of music, and its creators” and a move that serves to “silence songwriters.”

Noting that the performers of this year’s Oscar-nominated songs would include past Oscar winners H.E.R. and Elton John, as well as Brandi Carlile,...