NAfME Webinar: Rethinking Repertoire: Gender and Equity in Secondary Ensembles

Every repertoire choice is a curricular decision. In secondary ensembles, what we program not only teaches students about style, technique, and the traditions of the ensemble but also reveals whose voices and stories are valued and whose are not. Too often, music curricula focus on a narrow canon that favors male composers and reinforces traditional gender roles. This session explores how programming functions as curriculum, conveying messages about representation, identity, and belonging. It also demonstrates how educators can intentionally select works that broaden perspectives and support diverse student identities, as well as envision the future of ensemble music education. Through discussion and collaborative activities, participants will explore how repertoire can both reflect and reshape ideas of representation in ensemble classrooms.