If commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion has grown more apparent at orchestras around the country, that’s likely because it has increasingly become a full-time job. The number of leadership positions specifically focused on some permutation of EDI have multiplied following the calls for social justice that ignited during pandemic shutdowns. As live performances have resumed, many orchestras are reevaluating how best to connect with and serve their communities, a mission that’s essential to their survival.
“Our history suggests that representation, diversity, and inclusion doesn’t just happen; it has to be intentional and committed to,” says Harold Brown, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where he was among the first top brass doing such work at American orchestras when he was hired in March 2021. “George Floyd’s death spurred folks to action, and I think people finally got the message,” Brown adds, noting that EDI initiatives had been on the rise at orchestras over the past 10 years but have recently kicked into high gear…
At the Norfolk-based Virginia Symphony Orchestra, education initiatives extend to developing a pathway for aspiring musicians in-house. A fellowship program that began last year is offering four young Black musicians extensive training with the VSO, including mentorship, private lessons, and audition prep. “We’re trying to help them be successful in their careers as performers, so they know what to expect as professional musicians,” says VSO Director of Diversity and Engagement Nikki Thorpe, who works closely with every department on their EDI goals. “The orchestra is making an impact by going out to where people are; that’s as important as inviting people in.”