Non-Race DEI Considerations
IMPACT ON ADMISSIBILITY and CONTEST SCORES
The SAT questionnaire includes a second section with questions based on non-race Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion considerations, but these do not IN ANY WAY factor into admissibility nor do they IN ANY WAY affect contest scoring. SA recognizes that performing groups are in the best position to assess how these factors affect members of their ensemble, community, and audience.
PURPOSE
This section of the questionnaire is provided for the sole purpose of encouraging informed conversation among performing group members, so they may make their own decisions based upon the needs of their members and their audiences. Members should consult the Music Choices section of Chapter Choices to Address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (in the Chorus Toolkit) for details and strategies related to these factors. Ultimately, it is left up to the performing group to determine how or if they will act upon DEI issues explored in this second set of questions.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION and GENDER IDENTITY
In the case of quartets, gender-neutrality becomes less important because the needs/identities of only four people are involved. If all four, for example, are heterosexual cis-females there is no issue with identifying the gender of the love interest as male and the gender of the narrator as female. However, consider that an ensemble member may not feel safe or comfortable revealing their gender-identity or sexual orientation.
This is especially true in a chorus, where it is important not to make assumptions that all in the ensemble identify as women or are heterosexual. We recommend that choruses discuss and consider gender neutral lyrics wherever possible. However, to be inclusive, it is not necessary for 100% of an ensemble's repertoire to be gender neutral.
See the non-race DEI section of the FAQ for additional details.