Takeaways

When talking about programming and performing music by composer of color, there is some representation, but there is still a lot more to be done. Some of the answers from our paticipants to the question asking to describe representation when programming and performing music by composer of color compared to newly published white composers included:

• "It is not equal unfortunately. As a white person I am very careful with my programming so that I am well informed and respectful. I often do not feel that I have enough access to coaching from knowledgeable sources to perform music by composers of color respectfully."

• "Intentional and always included in every concert"

• "I would say that currently, there is a shift in representation to more access to compositions highlighting composers of color."

• "Unequal"

• "Still underrepresented, but this is improving in my area."

• "I'd say there's a current trend to de-center whiteness in programming (which I think is great) so, at least in my mind, I think conductors at the moment are less interested in new works by white composers than they are in lifting the proverbial veil on great music by composers of color that has already been premiered."

Many participants seem to have had a positive experience performing music from a cultural identity different from their own. However, there were some who did not feel comfortable perfroming this music due to concerns of cultural appropriation. These are some of the responses of participants on their experience playing music different from their own cultural identity :

• "It was scary at first. I came from an undergraduate climate where a white person performing works by black people about the black experience would have been called cultural appropriation by POC students. Once I realized that wasn't going to happen in my graduate studies, I found the more difficult aspect was crafting a performance which was sensitive to the reality of the black experience."

• "There is a little hesitation on my part because I want to engage with performing this music in a way that is fitting and appropriate (style, setting, understanding, etc) and at the same time, I am excited to learn more about performing music that reflects a different cultural identity from my own and how to do so thoughtfully."

• "I endeavor to speak with as many persons [people] as possible who represent the related cultural background in an attempt to gain an understanding of the experiences, traditions, and history of their community, and to provide a rich context to the study and performance of the work. My goal is to approach the music in a respectful way that honors the culture, and not as novelty or entertainment."

• "It's a bit nerve-wracking. I want to do justice to it, but I come from an extremely white, extremely traditional "classical" background, so I recognize that I need to question my assumptions."

• "I love learning new music and learning about different composers and cultures. I rely on the internet for most of my research."

Music by Composers of Color