None of us wants to realize that we may be a part of the problem. As artists, we often see ourselves as instruments of beauty and connection. However, much like the #MeToo movement of 2017 brought to light long standing issues of sexual harassment in our industry, this summer has seen an unveiling of racism in the arts and orchestral world as our Black and Brown colleagues speak their truth.  How will we respond?

Change begins with Awareness. The Charlotte Symphony is fortunate to be entering its second year as a recipient of the Catalyst Grant, which is awarded through the League of American Orchestras. The Catalyst Fund is a three-year pilot program that awards member orchestras annual grants to advance their understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion. During our first year, we hired consultant Octavia Seawell, and assembled a committee consisting of Board, Staff and Musicians. I am honored to be one of the musicians on this panel. As a committee we have sought to understand and define EDI and its relation to our organization, determine our core values, and create a Mission Statement. Ms. Seawell is in the process of creating a five-year Strategic Plan. This has included conducting focus groups and surveys to capture input from key stakeholders, and we are now engaged in an organizational assessment process.  Our goal is to build an internal culture that constantly strives to support equity, diversity, and inclusion through the building of authentic relationships and sustained informed action.

For a musician who is more adept at tackling the intricacies of a Paganini Caprice, or spinning the lines of a lengthy phrase by Brahms, this process of collecting and analyzing data, understanding contract law, critiquing policy, and uncovering the role of EDI in our organization and field feels daunting and overwhelming at times. But I know it is too important to give up.  One of the most consistent lessons I have learned from community organizers over the past few years is that the Answer is IN the community. To this end, I have begun the process of talking one on one with each of our musicians about their experiences in music. What are our strengths as an organization and as a larger musical community? What are our weaknesses? What are our solutions? What policies can be put into place that will create an environment that is more Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive?  Each talk has taken a different turn, and each has been enlightening. Our field is filled with creative, compassionate, brilliant individuals. We each have our own unique stories along with unique insight into how to make our lives in music better.

The question is: Are we all being given a voice?

If we as a musical community say we value unity and inclusion, then we must show with our actions that Black Lives Matter. We must listen to and value the voices of our Black and Brown colleagues. It is time to actively welcome Black and Brown voices as leading roles on our Boards, as members of our Staff, as our stand partners, as featured composers on our Classics concerts, as leaders on the podium, and as our awe-inspiring soloists.  The answers are already there in our community. Let’s Listen.