Access and inclusion

In the autumn edition of Highnotes, discover key learnings from our final Big Survey 2022. Get inspired by Soundabout's inclusive project, NewSPAL's campaign to save their music library and the Sitar Music Society's rich musical tradition. Plus, don’t miss our article about Making Music's 90th anniversary.

For groups looking to diversify their repertoire, this resource provides some links to online directories and publications to assist your research into under-represented composers.  

Over the past few years, we’ve been talking to members about diversifying their repertoire, and playing more work by under-represented composers. The drivers and benefits of this are various; from addressing the inequity in the classical canon, to finding fresh musical challenges, and connecting with new audiences. Have a look at these case studies: 

The INCLUDE groups used activity that was designed to reach new people and organisations as part of a strategy to widen the diversity of their groups.

Creating musical activities that connect 

Short-term

All four groups planned musical activities with the aim of reaching new people and raising awareness across their whole communities. Large-scale events required money and effort to organise but had the potential to make an impact if the follow-up was right.

Approaching access and inclusion work strategically helped the INCLUDE groups set realistic goals and embed access and inclusion as key to their whole group’s development.  

Getting people involved

Short-term

The committees of the INCLUDE groups engaged with all their members and got extra people involved with building and delivering their strategy.

The INCLUDE groups made small changes to the way they welcome and initially interact with new people to improve the accessibility and inclusive feel of their groups. 

Enabling access through information  

Short-term

The groups made changes to the information they provide about coming to their rehearsals and concerts, so it is easier find and helps people understand how to access their activity. They particularly focused on access information for disabled people.

The INCLUDE groups made changes to the way they operate their regular activity to make their groups more inclusive, involving their members to ensure that they felt included and changes were well-suited. 

Gathering ideas and opinions

Short-term

The groups involved their members in change, asking people about their experiences and inviting them to be part of decision making.