Until 2020, I’d spent my career saying, "There's no such thing as a choral emergency," and for the most part that held true. In March of that year, we encountered something our field hadn’t before: the need to monitor legislation and government orders on an almost daily basis to ensure not only compliance with the law but the health and safety of our singers.
Recent executive orders have created new challenges, and there’s something about this moment that is reminiscent of March 2020. The information is coming at us fast through the news media, peer organizations, and social media, forcing us to re-examine things that we’ve been taking for granted for some time. Among other concerns, cultural organizations are being asked to reconsider the way we cultivate inclusive communities, engage audiences, and fulfill our artistic missions.
As an outsider looking in, one might think that the arts sector is escaping relatively unharmed. After all, we don’t receive nearly as much federal funding as, say, the national security sector, nor is the executive branch able to unilaterally fire our employees. So why does this moment feel so significant for us?
I believe it’s because building inclusive spaces is fundamental to the work of choirs.
Whether paid or volunteer, most people who sing in choirs do it because they feel a strong sense of belonging in their particular choral community. It’s likely that, in your choir, you care deeply about the people you sing with and the values that they carry with them. And you’re probably a member of that organization because someone – at some point – made you feel welcome.
This is not secondary to the work of choral singing – it is central to the art form. Inviting a diverse group of humans to breathe together and craft a work of art using only their voices takes the kind of empathy that can only be found when people trust and listen to one another. Moreover, the very nature of the voice is such that no two will ever be the same. The humanity in each person’s voice is their gift to the chorus.
That’s why this moment is so critical: regardless of what’s being deemed legal and illegal, choral musicians understand that humanity is the engine of the choral ensemble and diversity is its power.
This isn’t an initiative; it’s not a strategy. It may or may not reside in your strategic plan to ‘increase diversity’ or ‘prioritize DEI,’ but the push for more inclusive choral communities has been happening for decades, and it’s because, simply stated, we want more people to share in the experience.
This moment is one that requires extreme care and thoughtfulness. It is crucial that we take time to understand the legal framework of what’s happening and, as importantly, what is not happening, lest we abandon our values in trying to overcome a perceived (or very real) barrier.
Last year, I joined the Chorus America team as President & CEO. It is our job at Chorus America to help you navigate these many challenges. During this time, we are posting weekly government affairs updates on our High Notes blog, which also includes information about policy issues and advocacy alerts.
Next week, Chorus America will offer a webinar entitled Presidential Actions and the Choral field – Key Updates & Developments on Wednesday, March 12 (4:00 pm ET). It is free and open to both members and non-members and I hope you will join us. Click here for more information and to register.
In closing, I’ll repeat something I wrote in November to our membership: “It is time for choruses to do what they do best: to serve as places of belonging for their members and to create something beautiful to replace the ugliness and division that has been front and center for these many months. I would urge us also, difficult as it may feel, to use this as an opportunity to humanize the people sitting to our left and right (literally and figuratively).”
As always, at Chorus America, our membership team is ready and willing to help you find the resources you need. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
How is your choir responding to the current moment while staying true to its values? We want to hear your experiences—share your thoughts below.