Increasing the Inclusion of Diverse Voices in Choral Music
Challenge
Classical music is a historically predominately white, male field.
Actions
The Los Angeles Master Chorale has made a commitment that at least 50% of our programming moving forward will be inclusive of historically underrepresented composers, particularly BIPOC and female-identifying. Our artistic leadership team has curated a season that includes existing works by composers who have been overlooked, works by living composers that we have never performed, and new commissions.
Outcomes
Our 2021-2022 season includes over 50 composers, many of whom will be new to our audiences. We have been careful to balance new work with traditional repertory such as Bach’s B-Minor Mass. It will take time for the outcomes to be revealed, but our intention is to create greater relevance for more people by connecting to the lived experiences of a more diverse audience.
Quote
I believe the greatest work ahead for any cultural institution is investing time and resources in understanding and creating relevance for our diverse communities. We may believe that the arts are relevant to everyone, but it’s not that simple. Relevance is created through connecting to an individual’s lived experience, and creating the circumstances for the individual to effortlessly engage with the organization. It is what happens when an individual finds personal meaning in the art on the stage, screen, or in a gallery. It is created when someone makes an emotional connection.