Welcome to Breaking the Baton!
This website is a resource hub created to empower music educators with accessible, inclusive materials that highlight historically underrepresented composers, specifically within beginning band repertoire (Grades 0–2). Developed as a final master’s project in music education, the site features curated unit plans, composer interviews, and performance-ready resources designed to support meaningful, representative music-making in the beginning band classroom.
The site is organized into three main sections: Reference List, Composers, and Curriculum.
The Reference List includes a collection of pieces organized by grade level. Each entry features a brief program note, teachable moments, and links to related composer and curriculum pages (where available). This list is a living document and will continue to grow over time.
The Composers section introduces each composer featured on the site, with a focus on their personal stories and what makes their work uniquely human. Information on each composer page is self reported by the composer to be displayed on the website.
The Curriculum section offers 10-week unit plans that integrate each piece into a broader classroom context. These plans include resources that have been successfully used in real classrooms — you're welcome to adapt or use them as they are.
My hope is that this project helps you bring composers from diverse backgrounds into your classroom, so that your students not only see themselves reflected in the music they play, but also gain new perspectives about the world around them.
Musically,
David Wertz
Historically Under Represented Composers are defined by the "Best Practices" of the Institute for Composer Diversity.
What you can do: Action Points for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by Alex Shapiro
Composers:
If you wish to change anything about your page, would like to have a piece added to the reference list or have comments please complete this Google form. 📄