Making the K-12 Orchestra Ethically Inclusive

Classrooms have seen a rise in Black and Latino populations, and they are projected to account for 54% of US public-school enrollment in 2023. Nevertheless, primary and secondary school orchestral programs struggle to maintain consistent enrollment and funding cuts often lead to the weakening or eradication of these programs. For the programs that survive, there is a pressure to represent diverse music. But at what cost? How do we appeal to students without essentializing them or tokenizing and coopting their cultures?

This virtual panel discussion brings the American Musicological Society and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association into a conversation centered on the ethical incorporation of diverse repertoire in the K-12 orchestral classroom. The panel discussion, moderated by Marcus R. Pyle (musicologist and violist at Davidson College), will include scholars Ashleigh Gordon (violist and founder of Castle of our Skins), Aryc Lane (Director of Orchestras and Fine Arts Department Chair at Reedy High School), Matthew Morrison (musicologist and violinist at NYU), and Desiree Overree (orchestra director at Seven Lakes High School). This event is sponsored as part of the “Many Musics of America” series.

This event is free and open to the public.

Date: Saturday, 28 January 2023
Time: 2:00pm ET
Venue: Online

Organized in Partnership With