There are a number of ways that I believe music schools around Canada could evolve over the next five years. I think the main way in which universities could grow would be by embracing modern music. Most music schools either offer Classical or Jazz programs however we have had many musical revelations since the golden age of Mozart and Buddy Bolden. From Jimmy Hendrix, to Stevie Wonder, Janis Joplin, to Beyonce, all the way to Toupac and Kendrick Lamar, musicians have continued to innovate and redefine what we perceive as music. Unfortunately universities have not placed emphasis on the way these musicians have influenced music and the world. Although some universities offer classes studying the History of Rock, and on rarer occasions the history of Rap, these genres are often overlooked and passed over quickly in an optional course lasting only one term. Why are all students required to learn about the Classical, Baroque, Renaissance and Romantic periods in detail for the first 4 semesters of their music education but never required to take a course on Jazz, Rock, or Rap? Many people would argue that it is more important to study the works of Bach and Beethoven because their work laid the foundation for all future musicians. Although it is true that the works of Mozart and other great composers served as the foundation of music today, that does not mean that those who continued to revolutionize music should be left in the dust. 

Because of the way music curriculums are constructed, many young artists choose not to go to school for music because their passions lie in playing synths, electric bass, or electric guitar, etc. They don’t see the value in learning about how to write a Gregorian chant, but might see the value in learning about how to create a synth sound, or how to construct a piece of fusion music. This is not to say that there isn’t a lot of real value in learning classical music theory and performing classical music, there are many valuable skills and techniques to be learned from these genres. However there are equally as important and arguably more relevant genres which more equally represent BIPOC communities, that we could study and perform.  Universities should require students to take a course on BIPOC influenced genres, such as Soul, Funk, or rap (fulfilling a history credit) as well as a theory course focusing on these same genres. Not only would implementing these changes grow and diversify the community of music schools, it opens the door to students learning about more BIPOC musicians. This is an issue that arises with studying classical music as many BIPOC musicians were not given a platform to express their music in the classical era. We find most music that is performed and studied from the classical is written by white men, in fact all of the composers we have studied at length in the first two years of history have been white male composers. This limits a lot of musicians in school trying to learn about BIPOC Composers and musicians. Today there is no shortage of BIPOC musicians to study, but sadly they are often still pushed to the shadows by looming systemic racism. Universities are an integral part of changing the landscape of the music world. Universities and teachers have a responsibility to change the way that classical music has suppressed the voices of BIPOC musicians, by encouraging the students to expand their studies and performances to include these more contemporary and underrepresented groups. Educational institutions have the most important role in changing the systemic issues we face today. They are largely responsible for the way future minds develop and how they form their opinions. Therefore it is crucial that universities require students to look beyond the canonical world of classical music. Another advantage of studying more recent genres is that it opens up many more career opportunities. Classical music is a very competitive and relatively small field of music in todays world, expanding curriculums to include more current styles of music would also allow students to widen their range of options and increase their chances of having successful career in music, as genres such as hip hop and indie music are two major giants in the music industry. Not educating students about these aspects of the musical world damages an already suffering industry. Students are the future of music and restricting musicians to these genres like classical music, places them in a bubble with a lower chance of success. Universities have the ability to help students towards a more successful and well rounded music career as well as work towards equal representation of all cultures and people in the world of music.

Adam Neely on what you didn’t learn in music school

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD3Qo5DKM2s&t=247s\

Article discussing BIPOC musicians 

https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2020/09/14/school-of-music-makes-commitments-to-racial-equity/