How to make classical music education more fostering and inclusive

Through her role as CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence, Jessie Montgomery has a keen interest in mentoring the next generation of artists and in nurturing a more diverse music community. She spotted this article, published in the February/March 2022 edition of American Music Teacher magazine, that asks: What if featuring Black composers at every level of music education, including pedagogy, programming, competitions and college auditions, could shift understanding, appreciation and perspectives in classical music? The article, by Leah Clailborne, an assistant professor of the University of the District of Columbia, examines the framework of classical music education and offers ways to foster a transformation in its culture.

Reprinted with permission of American Music Teacher magazine.