Inspired by the work of maestro Marin Alsop and the Institute for Composer Diversity (formerly The Composer Diversity Project), the James Hart Bands has committed to a new initiative of programming significantly more works by female and minority composers. Goals of this commitment include:
This initiative by the band program launched in preparation for its 2019 spring concert, a program in which all but one work performed by the James Hart Bands were composed by female and minority composers. In addition, all 5th-8th grade band students had the opportunity to hold at least one clinic with a composer featured on the concert, which included a brief presentation to the audience of family and community members, and guest conductor Heather Hoefle conducting her piece Ascent with the Symphonic Band. This initiative continued into the following school year, and as of 2022-23 the James Hart Bands have performed, or will perform the following works by composers of underrepresented groups:
In seeking out a more diverse pool of potential composers, there are many artists that the James Hart Bands hope to program in the future, but have not yet. Some of our other top recommended composers include the list below; for a more thorough listing of active minority, female, and LGBTQ composers, and to learn more about composer diversity initiatives across North America, visit the Institute for Composer Diversity website at www.composerdiversity.com.
- Teaching students about great composers of all ethnic and gender backgrounds through hands-on performance
- Showing students that anyone can grow up to become a composer, and that music is for everyone
- Influence the music publishing industry through purchasing choices
- When possible, collaborate with these composers
This initiative by the band program launched in preparation for its 2019 spring concert, a program in which all but one work performed by the James Hart Bands were composed by female and minority composers. In addition, all 5th-8th grade band students had the opportunity to hold at least one clinic with a composer featured on the concert, which included a brief presentation to the audience of family and community members, and guest conductor Heather Hoefle conducting her piece Ascent with the Symphonic Band. This initiative continued into the following school year, and as of 2022-23 the James Hart Bands have performed, or will perform the following works by composers of underrepresented groups:
- Carol Brittin Chambers: Softly Speaks the Night
- Katheryn Fenske: Dances from Terpsichore (after Praetorius)
- Adolphus Hailstork: New Wade 'n Water
- JaRod Hall: Lost Woods Fantasy
- Heather Hoefle: Alpha Dog, Ascent, First Concert Collection, Middle Schooled, Squirrel Monkeys, The Next Thing, Water Tales Suite, Young Voices
- Anne McGinty: Sea Song Trilogy
- Darryl Johnson II: Zeroes and Ones
- Victor López: Española, Code of Hammurabi
- Elena Roussanova Lucas: Chorale Eleg'ant
- Cait Nishimura: Into the Blue
- William Owens: Ironclads (The Monitor and the Merrimack), Kitty Hawk, 1903 (The Dream of Flight)
- Heitor Villa-Lobos/arr. Katheryn Fenske: Three Brazilian Folksongs
- Naoya Wada: Call to Freedom
In seeking out a more diverse pool of potential composers, there are many artists that the James Hart Bands hope to program in the future, but have not yet. Some of our other top recommended composers include the list below; for a more thorough listing of active minority, female, and LGBTQ composers, and to learn more about composer diversity initiatives across North America, visit the Institute for Composer Diversity website at www.composerdiversity.com.
- Kimberly Archer
- Stephanie Berg
- Jodie Blackshaw
- Jay Coles
- Kevin Day
- Julie Giroux
- Justin Harper
- Jennifer Higdon
- Yukiko Nishimura
- Nicole Piunno
- Alex Shapiro
- Amy Webb
- Carlton Winston
