Why I Track What I Program

My first performance of the 22/23 season, and it’s going to be a great one!

I’ve spent the summer reflecting on what it means to be a musician in 2022 and the future of our industry. While there’s a lot to ponder, repertoire, unsurprisingly, is at the top of my list.

Tonight’s program includes music by Bernstein (a gay man who, arguably, hid his sexuality because of our industry), Gershwin (a descendant of Jewish Ukrainians, who wrote heavily in the jazz idiom – the music of Black America), and Mason (a young black composer from Dallas and product of the public school system).

Several years ago, I began tracking the repertoire I programmed based on gender, nationality, year composed, etc., and made a commitment to begin diversifying my programming to better reflect our changing communities as well as who I wanted to see in the audience and on stage.

Despite our small budget, we endeavor at Mesquite to present programs that are diverse and represent our changing world. Rentals, to be frank, are expensive – but it comes with it the knowledge that we’re performing music from a wide swath of people.

In 2022, it’s disappointing to see ensembles performing “safe” concerts. Whether it’s for the donors, the musicians, or whatever the reason, we, as a performing arts community, must do better. We have a responsibility to lead and inspire.

To build the next generation of art music lovers, we must present programs that will inspire Millennials, Gen Z, and now Gen Alpha. I hope to continue pushing myself and that I’m able to inspire the next generation of music lovers.