Episode 8 - Pulling Back the Curtain on Diversity with Julian Maddox

In today’s episode, Julian Maddox shares his own experience as a young musician of color in the orchestral world. We discuss what it really takes to bring about truly diverse programming on and off the stage and unpack “the canon” of orchestral music. This discussion gives us a glimpse into what work really needs to be done to bring inclusion and equity to our stages and musical institutions.

Canton Symphony Orchestra knows the need for change within the orchestral community. The tradition of classical music has ignored many communities that have contributed to the development and canon of repertoire played in the concert hall. While Canton Symphony is a regional orchestral, change starts at the smallest level. With “Orchestrating Change”, the Canton Symphony Orchestra hopes to facilitate conversations that will make the concert hall a more welcoming place for previously ignored communities as well as create more acceptance and diversity on the stage.

 

In addition to Orchestrating Change internally, educating audiences to issues surrounding diversity and inclusion will be a priority. Music by Black, Latinx, female, Asian, and LGBTQAI+ musicians and composers has been noticeably absent in the programming produced by established institutions in comparison to those who are white and male. Canton Symphony Orchestra hopes to be a more welcoming community that is reflective of the demographics in Canton, Ohio and the surrounding major metropolitan areas.

Patrons who wish to sign-up for email reminders may do so at www.cantonsymphony.org/orchestrating-change. More information, including additional episodes, will be released in our weekly newsletter and social media accounts.

 

https://youtu.be/eIVEtcB50ZA

 

https://www.cantonsymphony.org/episode-8-julian-maddox/