The diversity challenge

Am I missing something? I know that diversity comes in many forms and it's not just a question of colour. But don't you think it odd that e.g. orchestras, jazz groups and brass bands in the 21st century are so white?

If I were a musician from a non-white family I would not want to be the only non-white person in one of these groups. In fact Marcus Joseph has made it his life's work to change the status quo. And he should not be alone in this mission.

Let's be honest. Much more action is needed in this area. Music educators and groups have allowed themselves to take the path of least resistance. Years of hiding out in the suburbs where teaching and learning is at its easiest has brought about today's monoculture. It's really time to focus on music in our cities.  And we need to be bold and celebrate real instruments. Yes it's hard work and takes lots of planning and time and patience. So much easier to offer an IPad or assistive technology - clean, safe, lazy? And children have computers, all the time. They want to play real instruments, that's certain. No matter where you are, if you take a bunch of instruments with you, children will want to give it a go. All children - black, white, in wheelchairs, non-verbal, autistic, anxious, quiet, sporty, I have never seen a child push away an instrument.  And so what if families are too hard pushed to insist on 'daily practice' and pay for piano accompanists for grade exams. It's our job to find different ways to progress players and get them to keep playing as adults.

We need to do this.

For everyone.