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Balanced Programming with the INSTITUTE for COMPOSER DIVERSITY Choral Works Database

for
DIVERSITY
COMPOSER
INSTITUTE
practices of the culture from which the music origi- works. Additionally, the choral team is working on a
nates, (2) for the performers to acknowledge their posi- new filter to make the database searchable by whether
tionality in relation to the featured culture, and (3) for works have score previews available. Lastly, staff are
ensembles and organizations to consult and compen- continually adding works by living and deceased com-
sate culture bearers when learning about history and posers.
practices. ICD is also working on a new tool: the ICD Resource
As the choral community is expanding the canon, Database. This tool will provide a searchable database
sometimes well-intentioned programming can hurt or of articles, books, webinars, and other formats cover-
misrepresent marginalized and minoritized communi- ing topics like performance practice, historical context,
ties. This often occurs in the form of cultural appro- language pronunciation, musical analysis, and compos-
priation or tokenism. Cultural appropriation happens er biography. These resources will help conductors feel
when “people from a more powerful culture adopt the more empowered to perform unfamiliar music with
art, symbols, or elements of a less powerful culture knowledge and confidence. Look for the introduction
without understanding or respecting the context or of the ICD Resource Database on ICD’s website (com-
10
history of that material.” In this context, “adopting” poserdiversity.com) later this year.
encompasses both the composition or arrangement of
works using elements of a less powerful culture and the
performance of music outside the programmer’s cul- Getting Involved with ICD
ture without the necessary understanding. For those interested, there are many ways to become
Avoiding tokenism is another important element of involved with ICD. Everyone is encouraged to include
responsible programming. ICD’s suggested Best Prac- the ICD Choral Works Database as a regular part of
tices #1 and #3 (referenced above) can help conductors their repertoire search strategy. (Scan the QR code pro-
with this. The ICD Choral Team defines tokenism as a perfor- vided to visit the database.)
mative action lacking a sustained or sincere effort toward inclusive
programming. This often looks like a limited or symbolic
effort to program marginalized or minoritized voices
to either satisfy an occasional checkbox with a stand-
alone piece or to restrict these voices to a themed con-
cert program without including these voices elsewhere.
Some conductors, preferring to err on the side of Composers are welcomed to join the Composer Diver-
extreme caution, avoid programing music from other sity Database, allowing their works to reach database
cultures altogether. However, such actions perpetuate users. Researchers are asked to contact staff with arti-
the silencing and marginalization that have plagued cles, books, or online resources for inclusion in the new
repertoire selection. It is necessary to take brave steps, ICD Resource Database. Undergraduate and graduate
keep an open mind, do the hard work of culturally students in music education or choral-related fields are
competent preparation, and be willing to experience invited to apply for the ICD internship program. Col-
discomfort on the path toward growth. legiate instructors can enroll their ensembles or method
classes in the ICD Collegiate Choral Research Project,
an in-semester research project designed to augment
Moving Forward at ICD student’s awareness of marginalized and minoritized
To help in the vital journey toward balanced pro- composers and the importance of balanced program-
gramming across the choral field, ICD staff are work- ming.
ing on improvements to grow the size, accuracy, and
usefulness of the Choral Works Database. Users should To partner with, contribute to, or provide feedback for ICD, please
note that difficulty ratings are missing for many choral reach out to <choral@composerdiversity.com>.

58 CHORAL JOURNAL March/April 2023 Volume 63 Number 7