Student Focus Group #2

Takeaways

• While some students rely on their professors to find music by composers of color, other students mention how most of the resources they use are behind the "educational wall." Students use free websites such as IMSLP and YouTube to obtain their music. However, there is a point where it gets very difficult to keep finding music without having to pay for it.

• Individuals only feel comfortable with a certain amount of activeness. We will not reach equity until it is considered normal for students and faculty to perform a full recital of songs written by a composer of color without calling the recital “special. ” When we get to the point, where these recitals are not considered "special" anymore, then we are getting closer to equity.

• When performing music by a composer from a different cultural identity than your own, the piece should be performed with the same energy and excitement as any other musical work.

Music by Composers of Color