By now, many of us are familiar with Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the cellist who in 2018 rose to fame when he played at the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. But in fact, there are seven Kanneh-Mason siblings who are all talented classical musicians who have had successful moments in their careers. In all, the seven brothers and sisters who range in age from their teens to the mid-20s, all play either the violin, the piano, or the cello to a very high standard.
But none of these young musicians would be where they are without the support of a mentor, a good teacher, and organizations who believe in, nurture and support their talents.
What follows is a brief overview of some organizations dedicated to giving voice to and making classical music more inclusive.
Represent Classical "is the only news source in the world dedicated to the future of classical music centering the news and performances of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color classically trained musicians, composers, educators, students, & scholars. We aim to promote the visibility, appreciation, representation, and contributions of these artists and thinkers who have been systematically excluded in the historical record of classical music."
The team, which includes editors and writers with extensive digital communications, music performance, marketing and administrative skills, are all "fierce advocates for equity and cultural inclusivity in classical music spaces." Artists are encouraged to submit their news and notices of upcoming events on this site.
Castle of our Skins "is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present."
Deeply aware of the lack of equity in composer representation on concert stages and the omission of important stories and figures in Black history, Castle of our Skins seeks change through offering educational opportunities, residencies and concerts, a network of connecting musicians, a black Student Union Intercollegiate Festival, hosting thought-provoking discussions and much more.
Music by Black Composers (MBC) "was born from the realization that young musicians learning classical music seldom, if ever, have the opportunity to study and perform music written by Black composers."
In addition to inspiring Black students to begin and continue instrumental training, showing them that they are an integral part of classical music's future, and making the music of Black composers available to them, MBC strives to "bring greater diversity to the ranks of performers, composers and audiences to help change the face of classical music and its canon."
The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts mission is to "Bring Color to the Classics!" CAAPA's vision is to help promote opportunities for Black classical musicians and others in the performing arts through arts performances, education, and outreach. CAAPA's vision is carried out through Community Outreach, Arts Education, Audience Development, Performance Opportunities and Arts Partnerships.
CAAPA supports performance opportunities for students, aspiring, emerging and established musicians; offers the MasterClass Series to college and high school students while offering mini-Mozart and Opera classes for kids and teens; hosts a variety of community outreach and education programs including Arias at Sea Cruises, Opera for Fun, Sing for Seniors, as well as Music scholarships and Meet the Composer; celebrates world-renowned African American classical musicians with concert and recital programs that attract audiences of diverse backgrounds, while juxtaposing unusual venues and collaborations to stimulate the experiences.
We encourage you to dive in, read and learn more about these and more organizations lifting every voice.