Results from ACDA Diversity Survey In

Dr. Antonio Cuyler, a faculty member at Florida State University, developed and implemented a diversity survey of ACDA members in November. On December 10, Cuyler shared his findings and recommendations with ACDA’s National Board, members of the Diversity Initiatives Standing Committee, and ACDA staff.  Ninety percent of respondents support ACDA being more mindful of accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion (ADEI). That is a strong vote of confidence!

The Diversity Initiatives Committee, chaired by Arreon Harley-Emerson, will be advising the Executive Committee on next steps based on Cuyler’s findings and numerous recommendations. Cuyler spoke about the need to look at ACDA through the lens of ADEI; to be intentionally welcoming and inclusive of the choral community; to intensify development efforts; and to avoid false separation between ADEI and musical excellence, saying that they can co-exist.

ACDA has long championed choral excellence and recognizes that musicians represent multiple backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, all of which enrich our organization. Recent years have seen the formation of the Diversity Initiatives Committee, the creation of ACDA’s Fund for Tomorrow to seed projects that focus on children and youth who might not otherwise have access to choral singing, a different approach from ACDA’s World Musics & Cultures Repertoire and Resources area, and a focus on diversifying performing choirs and interest sessions at ACDA’s conferences (most recently, the 2021 virtual national conference‘s theme is Diversity in Music).

As ACDA becomes more overt in our championing of all people, we seek to broaden our mission and our music and are planning next steps to continue on this path.