BU Tanglewood Institute: Igniting the Power of the Collective

September 16, 2020
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Since 2015, BU Tanglewood Institute has been building a national network of talent development partners. These organizations, like ours, are anti-racist, and many are specifically committed to building diverse and inclusive learning communities in classical music through the training and advancement of young artists from under-represented groups.

Since 2019, a group of BUTI faculty and alumni, Talent Identification and Enrollment Specialists, have been working closely with these partners to build clear pathways for their talented students to BUTI. In July 2020, the Specialists, with newcomer Dana Wilson, led an inaugural meeting with nine of the partners.

It was a joy to be together virtually for the first time! Partner representatives shared feedback and information about what more we can do collectively to build access and participation not only in BUTI, but in summer programs in general. Following are some of the 2020-21 goals that grew out of the meeting:

  • Ensure that every program at BUTI is inclusive by combining an expectation of high musical standards with an environment where diversity and differences are celebrated as drivers of excellence
  • Develop and deliver more educational programming and related services for partner organizations during the pre-admission period
  • Develop and deliver strong diversity and inclusion trainings for BUTI faculty and staff
  • Communicate and host Q & A sessions on BUTI’s values and community standards during the admissions and enrollment period to give students and parents a clear picture of what to expect at BUTI

We recognize that this is just a start and we have a substantial journey ahead that extends well beyond student enrollment; however, we are thrilled to have this group of strong, effective programs as our first partners and to be part of a university for which this work is a priority. We encourage you to read Boston University’s Diversity Statement and learn more about Diversity & Inclusion at BU.

If you have ideas for programs, schools, or organizations to add to this partner network, please nominate them by emailing us at tanglewd@bu.edu. The classical music field will only be enhanced and enriched through our collective efforts to build racial diversity, equity, and justice in all that we do. Please join us!

This initiative is made possible by the Seltzer Family Diversity & Inclusion Fund, generously established in 2019 by Richard and Carol Seltzer.

Published in BUTI’s Encore! September 2020

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BU Tanglewood Institute: Igniting the Power of the Collective