Redefining the Canon, a national effort from the nonprofit Boulanger Initiative, aims to diversify orchestral audition excerpts by offering technically comparable excerpts written by historically underrepresented composers. By adding works by previously neglected composers to audition repertoire lists, Redefining the Canon will serve as a catalyst for orchestras to program more inclusive and diverse works, and in turn attract more diverse candidates for auditions. Orchestras, summer music festivals, and youth orchestras are invited to join Phase One, which begins this Fall. Each partner orchestra will select volunteer musicians to examine scores and parts written by underrepresented composers, sourced by the Boulanger Initiative from libraries, archives, and special collections. They will identify excerpts that are comparable in technique and skill set to those found in a standard canon audition excerpt. For unpublished manuscripts, the Boulanger Institute will work to publish the scores, enabling a sustainable shift toward diversified programming.
Learn more at about Redefining the Canon here and register here.
