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Music Educators, Young Musicians Feel Ripple Effects of Federal Policy Changes

Students in the Equity Arc Wind Symphony rehearse on stage at The Music Center at Strathmore.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Equity Arc
Students in the Equity Arc Wind Symphony rehearse on stage at The Music Center at Strathmore.

A Tempo this Saturday (3/22) explores some of the potential and actual ramifications of changes in federal policies for music educators and young musicians.

The young musicians from across the country who had auditioned and prepared to work with the U.S. Marine Band this May, like high school percussionist Rishab Jain, were eagerly looking forward to performing with and learning from the professional musicians. Then last month, the band contacted the organizers of the Equity Arc Wind Symphony and told them that the event could not go forward, citing the Executive Order that prohibits government participation in any program or partnership that supports diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives.

Rather than give up, Equity Arc, which runs various programs designed to make music education and performance more accessible to young musicians of color, was able to pull together veterans of U.S. military bands and hold a concert March 7, an event that was recorded by and featured on CBS' 60 Minutes. Although in this case the students were still able to enjoy a learning experience, it underscored the way national policy changes are beginning to impact the field of music education. A Tempo this week looks into the current environment in a conversation with Jain and Equity Arc Executive Director Stanford Thompson about their experience.

This week's episode also includes an interview with Amanda Karhuse, Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy for the National Association for Music Education, about the uncertainties and concerns facing music teachers as federal policies regarding diversity, arts funding and education in general change and take effect.

Members of Equity Arc Wind Symphony's wind section during a mentoring session.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Equity Arc
Members of Equity Arc Wind Symphony's wind section during a mentoring session.

Rachel Katz is the host of A Tempo which airs Saturdays at 7 pm.