African-Americans and Latinos account for 30% of the U.S. population, and that number is steadily rising. But only 4% of the members of major American orchestras are Black or Latino. Does that matter? And if so, what can and should we do about it?
On Performance Today, we're launching a conversation about the value of diversity in classical music. We'll talk about who is on stage, and who is in the audience. About what music is being played and shared. About venues and styles of concert presentation. About who the taste-makers and decision-makers are. And about the cultural, educational, and historical threads that have led us to where we are today.
Our list of thought-provoking interviews will grow over the course of the year, so keep coming back to this page to see and hear more.
YOUR voice is critical to this conversation. How can classical music be more inclusive? What are the barriers to making that happen? How has the face of classical music changed in your lifetime? Join the conversation on Facebook, send us your thoughts at mail@performancetoday.org or give us a call: 1-866-943-4450. Let's start talking.
Caen Thomason-Redus is a flutist and Community Catalyst, Director of Community & Learning for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Aaron Dworkin is dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance at the University of Michigan. He is the founder of the Sphinx Organization.
Lee Koonce is a New York-based arts administrator and chairs the Gateways Music Festival Artistic Programs Committee.
Mike Muse is CEO of the record label Muse Recordings. He is also a strategic outreach and engagement expert focused on the intersection of business, music, and politics.
James Rose is an accomplished French hornist and a Management Consulting Director at Deloitte in Detroit.
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