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News & Resources

Institute for Composer Diversity creating a Database of Underrepresented Composers

12-01-2020

Building a comprehensive repertoire of diverse composers remains an unfortunate and lingering difficulty in our field. The Institute for Composer Diversity (ICD) is working to actively address this issue, creating a database of thousands of composers from historically underrepresented groups and marginalized communities. The database includes both living and non-living composers and includes orchestral, wind ensemble, choral, and vocal art song works, with grade level designations. It also identifies repertoire trends of major orchestras to help arts institutions shift their programming.

Progress Made Toward Virtual Ensemble Playing

12-01-2020

We may be close to real-time virtual ensemble playing. Listen to this NPR segment on new tech from Audio Movers and Jack Trip that may make it possible for musicians to play together online. There are still glitches, especially with distances beyond a local area, but this is a hopeful update on a technological breakthrough that would benefit our work profoundly.

Article from Edutopia Walks Through Ways to Increase Student Engagement

12-01-2020

An article on Edutopia shares some practical measures for moving toward more “student-centric” framing during online learning. The article, titled “How to Choose Words That Motivate Students during Online Learning,” walks through practical scenarios and language shifts that help create an environment where students experience self-motivation, ownership, and engagement. All educators who miss their classrooms might find this useful.

Cultural Equity Resource Center Recently Launched by Americans for the Arts

11-04-2020

Americans for the Arts has launched a Cultural Equity Resource Center. Like their widely used Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center, this will be updated regularly with information about programming, resources, and news to assist all in achieving our racial/social justice goals. They will keep adding to it—upcoming is a directory of equity consultants and service providers. If you have a resource to add, let them know.

A Collection of Resources in Support of Black Lives Matter from Chamber Music America

11-04-2020

The staff of Chamber Music America has compiled a collection of resources in support of Black Lives Matter to advance anti-racist work in the music community. You can also find BLM support resources from Creative Capital.

OECD Quantifies the Cost of Quarantine for Young People

09-16-2020

Economists from Germany and the U.S. have just published a paper with the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) that quantifies the cost of the pandemic in lost time and lost learning for young people. They conclude that worldwide students will lose 3% of their lifelong earning potential, and this impact is disproportionately higher in lower-income areas. If schools are not able to reopen quickly and well, the damages will be worse. They stated to the press, “We are frankly concerned that nobody has been talking about these issues.” This is essential reading for arts leaders and program directors—both as a tool to help your advocacy and leverage fundraising, and as a reminder to embrace bold action for your students.

Four Different Reopening Plans for Schools, Fall 2020

06-02-2020

With all El Sistema programs considering options for fall activities, given uncertain health regulations, this article from EdSurge may be helpful. It details the four most prominent reopening plans that schools are currently considering.

El Sistema Workshop through NEC Opens

05-05-2020

New England Conservatory’s Center for Professional Development and Performing Arts Leadership offers a two-day online workshop “Understanding El Sistema” on June 5-6, 2020. It is designed for teaching artists, administrators, and those looking to enter the creative youth development sector; faculty will include Heath Marlow (Center Director), Erik Holmgren (Mass Cultural Council) and Rodrigo Guerrero (formerly from the Mass Cultural Council), Tina Lee Hadari (Music Haven founder), Laura Jekel (MYCincinnati founder), and other featured presenters.

Professional Development Clock Hours from NAfME

04-07-2020

Free professional development clock hours have been made available by the National Association for Music Education in response to the unprecedented cancelations of conferences and shift to online teaching. These resources, including ten webinars from NAfME Academy, 14 articles from Music Educator Journal, and Live Professional Learning Community webinar series, are peer-reviewed and specifically developed for and by music educators.

Case Study on Cultural Humility from Institute for Music Leadership

04-07-2020

Buffalo String Works in Buffalo, NY has worked with refugee students from Afghanistan, Burma, Eritrea, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, and Syria. Though inspired by the international El Sistema model, the organization faced plenty of cultural hurdles in working to serve the diverse population. Eastman School of Music’s Institute for Music Leadership has written a case study examining the early years of BSW as it worked to adapt to the needs of the community. Read more to learn how they strived for “cultural humility” and musical excellence simultaneously—these lessons in inclusion can be applied to all programs, no matter their makeup.

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