Toward Justice…

Recent events have brought the pandemic of systemic racism front and center in our lives. We acknowledge that our choral field and our organization are part of this unjust system and we affirm that black lives matter. Good musicianship requires the ability to listen. I believe this is a moment for us to listen – quietly and deeply –  to the voices and stories of black citizens. Our singing communities must choose to lift every voice.

In my personal experience, I know that most arts organizations are comprised of kind people with the best of intentions. As a person who has led social justice-based organizations, I also know that good intentions don’t matter if they do not inspire action that creates change. Statements and grand gestures in a moment of crisis pale beside doing the hard work and making a long term commitment to build an anti-racist, inclusive organizational culture. Through daily decisions and ongoing strategy, I will help lead BCI and our field in a direction that bends toward justice.

-Steve Smith, President