5 Ways Music Education Can Celebrate Black History Month
- Written byAndy Sankey, Chief Examiner for Music Performance and Production at UAL Awarding Body
- Published date 12 October 2021
Black history month runs from the 1st to 31st October and celebrates the history and achievements of black people and communities around the world. It’s a time to reflect and ensure the delivery of music education includes equality, diversity, and inclusivity at its heart all year round.
Here are are 5 ways you may wish to do this with your students. To help we’ve also included some links to interesting websites and stimulus materials, although we do not specifically endorse these above others – there’s loads out there so do look around!
1. Educate
Educate your students on how black figures have shaped the music industry. Too often history has dismissed, overlooked, or undermined black artist and their influence. Develop projects and resources to celebrate and appreciate black artist, a timeline would be a good starting point:
A Timeline of history-making Black Music
2. Engage
Book a speaker who could share their experiences and help present the ongoing issues faced by the black recording artists, session musicians, producers, technicians and others in the industry. This can be a remote event and recorded for future use and not just in Black History Month but embedded into all delivery materials.
Nate Holder – Musician, Author and Speaker
Karina H Maynard – Director, Producer and Training
3. Review
Review your delivery material and marketing material to include more diversity in the content, including images. Use a step guide or checklist when developing delivery materials to help support you and educate students.
10 ways to Check Your Musical Bias
4. Resources
Use more diverse stimulus material and text that includes and represents minority groups. Allowing students to include their individual experiences and heritage within projects.
Black History Month On-Line Magazine
The Why Books and Resources – Inspiring Curious Minds
5. Commit
Admitting a need for change is not admitting defeat but a movement towards growth which is to be commended. This requires a constant effort. Let’s be confident embracing positive change, and pledge to tackle discrimination every month of every year.