Sunday, April 23, 2000
Lack of minorities a national dilemma
Nationally, African-Americans make up only about 1.4 percent of major orchestras.
Experts cite many reasons, including a legacy of racism in the arts, school music cuts, fewer opportunities for minority children to study a musical instrument and a lack of role models.
Another reason may be blind auditions, held behind a screen. The competition is stiff; often an orchestra will receive 200 applicants for one vacancy.
Diversity in orchestras is a national dilemma. In 1989, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra was threatened with losing a $1.3 state subsidy unless it hired a second black musician. In a highly controversial move, it side-stepped the blind audition and hired an African-American.
Shortly after, the Detroit Symphony founded an African-American Fellowship Program to increase its talent pool of minority players. Young black musicians join the orchestra in rehearsals and performances. They receive coaching and audition preparation tips from orchestra members.
The success is real. Detroit's principal trombonist, Ken Thompkins, was once a fellow. He will perform a concerto next season.
“There are no failures — only successes,” says Detroit's Daisy Newman, director of education. In the past decade, seven Detroit fellows have won seats in American orchestras.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra invites musicians to audition who are participants in the American Symphony Orchestra League's Music Assistance Fund, a scholarship program for minorities. Otherwise, the CSO advertises in the musicians union newspaper and at major music schools.
“Once they get to the audition, they are on their own. It has to be that way,” CSO president Steven Monder says.
— Janelle Gelfand
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