SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Federal cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs are now threatening art programs in the Bay Area. A memo from the United States Department of Education forced the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to pause their Emerging Black Composers project.
One of the program’s recipients explained that without investment, he fears there will be a lack of representation in classical music, especially when young, Black talent is already so limited.
“Intoxicating is the word I would use. It is incredible to have something you wrote be played by an orchestra,” said Jens Ibsen of Berkeley, who was the program’s 2022 winner.
The Emerging Black Composers project launched in 2020 with the goal of commissioning 10 works by early-career Black American composers over 10 years.
Now five years in, the project has awarded prizes to seven composers, including Ibsen, whose commissioned piece “Drowned in Light” was performed by the San Francisco Symphony in 2023.
He says the program catapulted his career. Conservatory students depend on federally subsidized loans and grants to support their education.
“The idea that other people may not be able to participate in this is of course heartbreaking, it’s a butterfly effect. How many composers would have been chosen for this, and then how many people would have heard their pieces or heard that they won and then be inspired to put themselves to do similar things?” he said.
The San Francisco Symphony and Conservatory say they will continue the emerging composers project in the future though the details have yet to be ironed out.
A spokesperson said in a statement:
“SFCM is committed to continuing its work in building an ever-more inclusive and welcoming community. This is an essential component of the conservatory’s mission to advance music and education across the world.”
The symphony’s 2024 winner’s work will premiere later this season, showing that young talent cannot be silenced.
Ibsen will perform his latest work with the SF Chamber Orchestra in October. The SF symphony will reveal how to push the program forward in the near future.
