Musicians Launch “Dear American Orchestras” Campaign
As Routes concludes its indepth series covering the many concert offerings of the Gateways Music Festival this year, we find ourselves part of a movement that is well underway.
Black members of more than forty orchestras announced the Black Orchestral Network (BON).
What is the Goal
BON is a collective of Black orchestral musicians dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for Black people in the orchestral field. The group was built on the motto, “if we increase our connection to one another, we can harness our creativity and develop initiatives that benefit Black musicians.”
Seven Black musicians founded the Black Orchestral Network—Jennifer Arnold, Alexander Laing, David A. Norville, Joy Payton-Stevens, Shea Scruggs, Weston Sprott, and Titus Underwood. The goal is to galvanize the industry, break down barriers to inclusion, and confront long-standing inequities in treatment and process.
As part of their campaign, the organization launched this month its first public-facing campaign focused on advancing equity and inclusion in American orchestras. Through an open letter — “Dear American Orchestras”—BON calls for American orchestras to take decisive action against racial injustice in the industry.
Add your Signature
Artists, audience members, educators, music lovers, culture bearers, and enthusiasts are invited to co-sign this letter by adding your name to the list of Black orchestral musicians calling on American orchestras for change. For more information, read the open letter and co-sign the letter, click here.
Routes has signed this letter and promised to continue our commitment of press coverage of orchestral music such as the Gateways Orchestra and others.