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Balanced Programming with the INSTITUTE for COMPOSER DIVERSITY Choral Works Database
INSTITUTE
DIVERSITY
for
COMPOSER

Using the Choral Works Database, programmers ter by location and accompaniment by chamber or full
can filter their searches by voicing (SSA, SATB, etc), orchestra.
genre (sacred—referring to all faith traditions, secular, From the search results webpage, works can be fur-
or jazz/popular), difficulty criteria, lyricist, time pe- ther researched by looking at links provided to the com-
riod, language, maximum duration, whether the work poser’s website, score preview, video and audio links,
is in the public domain, accompaniment criteria, and as well as details about language, duration, and other
whether video and audio links are available. Composers information. Search results are randomized by default,
are searchable by name, date, gender identity, sexual/ but can be sorted alphabetically, and can be download-
romantic orientation, demographic criteria (Black, La- ed for reuse.
tino/Latinx, Indigenous Peoples, African, East Asian,
South Asian, Southeast Asian, West Asian/North Af-
rican), genre(s) in which they compose, as well as loca- ICD Best Practices
tion in the US or in the world. As of the writing of this ICD’s suggested Best Practices help conductors cu-
article, 6,015 choral works are included in the Choral rate repertoire responsibly. The following is taken from
Works Database. ICD’s website:
Using the database can help conductors by pro-
viding filters to target their searches to their specific 1. DISTRIBUTION: Spread works by women com-
ensemble or classroom needs. For example, a high posers and composers of color throughout your con-
school choir director with an SSA ensemble that uses cert season rather than only performing them on one
keyboard accompaniment and wants to explore music “special” concert.
in Spanish can filter for this particular voicing, accom-
paniment, and language preference. If a community 2. TOPIC: It is important to avoid placing topical limi-
chorus in Pennsylvania wants to highlight composers tations on composers when commissioning new works
from underrepresented groups active in their state in as well when programming your concert series. Com-
partnership with a community orchestra, they can fil- posers from historically excluded groups have much to
say about the world beyond works
that speak directly to their iden-
tity or background. An inspiration
for this suggestion is the work of
Dr. Marques L. A. Garrett and
his important web-based resource
“Beyond Elijah Rock: The Non-
Idiomatic Choral Music of Black
Composers.” 4

3. RATIONALE: No composer
wants to be programmed just be-
cause of who they are—program
their works because their music
resonates with you, and it will res-
onate with your audiences as well.

4. BENCHMARKS: Intentionally
setting minimum percentage goals
before solidifying specific reper-

56 CHORAL JOURNAL March/April 2023 Volume 63 Number 7