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 to PMEA 2020 in a webinar format.
Clinic Materials
Handout
Download the clinic handout using the button below. (Available after 9PM on May 26, 2020)
Slide Deck
Take a look at the presentation deck below
Playlists
Use the playlists below to begin the journey in exploring the widest possible range of repertoire. Stimulate your love for great music and feed your imagination.
Daily Repertoire Lists
I publish daily “Power Rankings” - repertoire lists of 10 selections each by diverse composers. I share that list on my professional Facebook page. “Like” below for daily lists of ideas in your feed.
A Variety of Perspectives
Continue the discussion! A free, public webinar is available tomorrow presented by a leading panel with a range of perspectives. Consider dropping in for a deep dive on state lists.
Join the webinar by clicking this link and entering the password onthelist.
Note, the time below is Central Time. For Pennsylvania, the webinar will begin at 5:00 PM ET.
Join the Club
One of the most critical components of enriching our concert programs in this difficult terrain is making sure we’re not going it alone. Join the Friends of ICD (Institute for Composer Diversity) Facebook group and start seeing more great repertoire in your feed. You can also just visit the website directly at composerdiversity.com.
Case Study
Learn more about one of the pieces I’ve found and adapted for performance with students, the Quartet in G major by Florence Price.
Dig In
PMEA Members can join the effort directly in the project to increase the diversity of our concert programs. Join the effort by visiting the spreadsheet below.
Repertoire Diversity Consulting
Schedule a free personal meeting with me to schedule to explore and strategize about your repertoire needs for your ensemble. Use the form below to select an available time, and I will respond via email in order to prepare for our time together. If you don’t see a time that works for you, send me an email.