"Fanfare for the Unheard: Diversifying Stands and Creating Inclusive Repertoire"

W&L Lecture to Focus on Underrepresented Composers

Washington and Lee University will host Ashley Killam, founder and president of Diversify the Stand on October 8 at 5:15 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall.

The lecture entitled "Fanfare for the Unheard: Diversifying Stands and Creating Inclusive Repertoire" is free and open to the public. All audience members are required to wear a mask.

Diversify the Stand is a non-profit organization that provides accessible educational music by commissioning composers of color, gender-marginalized composers, and composers identifying as LGBTQ+.

Killam, who holds a Master's Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of new Mexico, has presented the lecture in over 80 high schools and colleges throughout the US and Canada. In it, she highlights new music and provides insight and resources on creating change within individual programs.

"I was thrilled when Ashley reached out to me in 2020 to share what she does and to say that she had recently relocated to Radford. Our department had just launched an initiative to diversify our curriculum and pedagogy, and her presentation fits perfectly into our plans. We are delighted to provide our students as well as other musicians in our area the opportunity to hear from her," said Dr. Gregory Parker, professor of music.

The lecture is being funded by the W&L Concert Guild. For more information, contact the W&L Department of Music at (540) 458-8852.