Diversity through the lens of music

Cranleigh School recently held a forum and panel discussion for education and arts leaders to look at making schools more inclusive through the lens of music.

Recent research by Arts Council England confirms a disparity we probably all knew was there: whilst 96% of the country’s population engages with music every day, when it comes to classical music, the lack of diversity amongst artists working in classical music is striking.

Further research by Black Lives in Music, an organisation established to address the current inequality of opportunity for black people aspiring to be artists or professionals in the jazz and classical music sectors, found that 89% of black musicians have experienced barriers to career progression.

To consider the role of schools in making sure this situation is changed, Cranleigh School hosted an event on ‘Creating Diverse Culture in Schools through the Lens of Music’.

Claire Mera-Nelson, Director of Music, Arts Council England, presented the rationale for change by providing an overview of the current landscape through the findings of ACE’s research. Ethnicity, gender, disability and socio-economic influences impact the classical music journey from a young age, resulting in a workforce that is wholly unrepresentative of the wider population.

Roger Wilson, Director of Operations, Black Lives in Music, and a Music Teacher at Cranleigh, shared his lived experience, highlighting how discrimination is endemic in the sector. Growing up in South London, Roger and his peers experienced racism, and as he progressed through his musical career, Roger became increasingly aware of not ‘fitting in’. Whilst the situation is improving, there is much more to be done.

John Stephens, Curriculum Manager, SCC Surrey Arts, introduced delegates to the work that has been taking place at Surrey County Council to increase diversity in music provision and, from this experience, shared recommendations that can be adopted by schools, from reviewing the repertoire for school events to making sure young people have access to diverse role models.

Endorsing the need for greater diversity amongst role models - “If you can see it, you can be it” - Samantha Stimpson, Founder and Chief Executive of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consultancy SLS 360, presented the case for organisational change, and introduced a model for The Culturally Diverse School. Samantha recommended a step-by-step approach:

1. Problem Identification

2. Executive Buy-in

3. Triage the current situation

4. Create an Action Plan

5. Start Now!

6. Ask a Specialist

Musician, Educator and Activist for Change, Mahaliah Edwards – whose role at Cranleigh is Teacher of Music and Cultural Development – shared her own lived experience. Despite having been a student more recently than Roger Wilson, like Roger, Mahaliah was poignantly aware of being one of very few black students at her conservatoire. In fact, it wasn’t until Mahaliah was at university that she discovered black composers and consequently began to question why these musicians were not included in the school repertoire.

Determined to be a catalyst for change, Mahaliah now has a portfolio career which enables her to perform as a musician, educator and as an activist for change.

At Cranleigh, Mahaliah is working across the school with all departments on diversifying the curriculum and teaching from a variety of viewpoints. In Music, in particular, she is promoting discussion in a way that champions the native tradition’s perspective, and the learning of music in a way that it may be traditionally learned, for example by ear or with different notation. She’s also allowing the pupils to teach their own experiences from their own cultural backgrounds and diversifying resources to ensure they are representative of all protected characteristics. “It’s not about dismantling everything we know but looking truthfully at the past and allowing multiple perspectives to live and breathe in the same space.”

A recurring message throughout the event was the need to start now. There is an impetus for change and schools have an opportunity to be a real catalyst in making it happen. Mahaliah reminded us all that: “The time is always right to do what’s right.” 

For further information please visit www.cranleigh.org