For years, the music community has discussed the importance of diversifying the composers that students learn and that audiences hear. However, in large ensemble genres, progress has often been slow-going. As a Creative Director of the International Florence Price Festival with a background in music education, Smith will offer a firsthand perspective as participants work together in identifying key opportunities for diversification of concert programming and strategies for finding and preparing difficult-to-access music.

In particular, participants will break down the phases of the programming cycle and examine each phase to identify strategies that will help directors adopt inclusive repertories over time. Through acknowledging the difficulties that persist, directors will better be able to tackle those challenges, while at all times maintaining complete artistic integrity.

Presented in coordination with the Susquehanna University Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME).