Feeling the sting of being criticized as “elitist” and “too white,” many orchestras have launched gospel concerts and Martin Luther King Day concerts to create a bridge to the black community.

        However, some African-Americans are troubled that the events are separate from the main series.

        “Many arts groups are grappling with the problem,” says J. Kenneth Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State and former member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra board of trustees. “They think, we'll do this or that to bring in this new audience. And yet, it's separate; it's not integrated. It's not reflective of an open embrace of diversity and the power that comes from it.”

        Gradually, says Jack McAuliffe, vice president of the American Symphony Orchestra League, the mind-set of major institutions is beginning to change.

        “The American orchestra is a different entity today than it was at the turn of the century, when it really was just a transplanted European orchestra,” he says.

        The idea of “community engagement” — building lasting partnerships rather than just performing “outreach” — has been gathering steam with orchestras in the last six years.

        “Some are very much aware of it, and taking it seriously,” Mr. McAuliffe says. The industry takes it seriously, too. This year, ASOL is offering an award funded by MetLife for excellence in community engagement.

        Embracing the whole community is “not just a marketing effort,” he says. “You don't just try to sell tickets to a broader community. You actually take them into account as you do the programming — even the concert locations,” he says.

        The CSO is tackling the challenge with concerts in black communities — “Classical Roots — Spiritual Heights” — which will feature works by African-American composers, and a partnership with Sphinx, an organization devoted to developing and recognizing talent in the black and Latino communities. On July 10, the CSO will present violinist Melissa White, first-place junior laureate of the 2001 Sphinx Competition.

        It's a learning experience for everyone, says Kathy Jorgensen-Finley, CSO community relations manager. She uses a timeline of African-American achievement in classical music compiled by author Hansonia L. Caldwell to educate audiences.

        “It is enlightening to many people, as well as myself,” she says. “There is a great African-American history in classical music, and this is just a snapshot.”

       For information about the CSO's “Classical Roots — Spiritual Heights” concerts, 3 p.m. June 8, St. Francis Seraph Church, Over-the Rhine; and 7:30 p.m. July 10, Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, call 381-3300. Admission is free.

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