Dear Orchestral Recital Series of Tacoma Community,
ORS of Tacoma affirms that Black Lives Matter. We are committed to justice for Black Americans, and all People of Color. The deep, enduring pain and fear of systemic racism has been laid bare and deserves acknowledgment, recognition that we must do better, and action.
We are a small organization but believe that we make a big difference in the lives of those whom we touch: student musicians, families, music teachers, our community. We also know that we can do better to be more inclusive, accessible, and diverse. It is our goal to create a future where Black People and all People of Color are an integral part of our work on and off stage.
The classical music world has long been steeped in white privilege. Lack of diversity in soloists, orchestral musicians and featured composers and inequitable opportunities in arts education and outreach lead to barriers for many. In particular, our traditional repertoire has lacked underrepresented composers and has perpetuated this. ORS of Tacoma will be proactive in resolving these inequities. We will listen, learn, and change.
We commit to including Black People’s and underrepresented perspectives and voices in our repertoire and concerts. We commit to increasing access and inclusivity for underserved communities in Tacoma to be part of ORS. We commit to commissioning and funding new works by Black and other underrepresented composers.
We believe that no matter an organization’s size or budget, change is possible, and the impact can be great. We choose to be part of that change.
ORS of Tacoma Board of Directors
Maggie McGuire, President
Robin Watson, Treasurer
Paul Twedt, Music Director
Suzie Chang
Oksana Ezhokina
Maria Sampen
Jennifer Sorenson
Derek Zhao
Looking for resources?
Click here to access a Forbes article filled with resources to learn more, such as books, articles, and movies.
Click here to access a Google Doc with anti-racism resources.
Click here to access another Google Doc with specific actions you can take – broken down by how much time in your day you have.