UK Black History Month: Profile On Black Lives In Music

Black Lives in Music are a collective who are “standing on the frontline of diversity in jazz and classical music”. As the UK celebrates Black History Month in October, we wanted to highlight the work that is being done to support musicians. Black Lives in Music use data and insights to campaign for equity by uniting organisations and musicians to create a truly inclusive and diverse music industry.

The Data

Black Lives in Music are data driven and use the irrefutable facts to support the work they do. The statistics demonstrate the disparity in the classical and jazz communities, whereby Conservatoire teaching staff is very apparent:

Out of 1,345 members of UK Conservatoire teaching staff, only 28 – or around 2% were from a Black, Asian or other ethnically diverse background.

When it comes to mental health, the numbers reflect another worrying area of inequality: 73% of musicians suffer with mental health, with African Caribbean communities being three times more likely to be diagnosed and admitted to hospital for a severe long-term mental health condition than any other group.

Additionally, Black Lives in Music highlight the fact that much more data is needed. On their website they explain:

“There is no data or report that spotlights the Black Musicians’ experience such as economics, social interactions, education to talent pipeline and well being.

Organisations are rarely held to account concerning data insights and recommendations. To ensure these same organisations continue to receive funding there is a tick box, tokenistic mentality with the promotion of Black people from entry level to mid-management roles. There are almost no appointments in senior management roles.

Most surveys are not completed in a safe space or in anonymous fashion therefore people of colour rarely participate due to a lack of trust.”

The Solution

Black Lives in Music aim to support change from within, specifically that is spread across four main areas, which are:

1. Supporting organisations in the development of a balanced professional ensemble with people of colour
2. Recruitment of people of colour representing senior management/board level
3. Trusted DEI data capture
4. Mentoring programmes and support for the progression of Black musicians into professional ensembles

The benefits and impact of this work that Black Lives in Music do helps by:

• Reinforcing confidence in the life of Black Musicians
• Ensuring the involvement of black musicians as part of the wider talent pool.
• Promoting wellbeing amongst black musicians
• Equality within the music industry that reflects national identity
• Advocating for equity for the careers of musicians and the music industry workforce

How to get involved with Black Lives in Music

Black Lives in Music offer support to Orchestras and professional ensembles, Universaties, Conservatoires, Opera, Theatres, Venues, Festivals, Trade Bodies and more.

To enable music organisations to reflect the nation’s diverse culture and to combat systemic racism in the music industry, they have created a 10-step digital charter which they expect all music organisations to agree to meet.

The Charter

1. Organisations, conservatoires, ensembles and companies within the music industry to strive to reflect, at all levels, the current national level of ethnic diversity.
2. In all learning institutions and within the music industry in general – an acknowledgement of the heritage and creative contributions to all genres of music by people of colour in all forms of music creation, music education, instrumental music learning.
3. A significant commitment from all organisations, ensembles and companies in the UK music industry to provide meaningful opportunities at all levels for people of colour to train, learn and work successfully within these environments.
4. In leadership – for Organisations, ensembles, companies and music charities to be represented with a significant presence of people of colour proportionally according to demographic of locality at board level.
5. UK music organisations, ensembles and companies to consistently show best practice in diversity and inclusion and where necessary, to receive consultation, training and advice to this aim.
6. For all UK music organisations, conservatoires, ensembles and companies to be actively involved in the nurturing of grass roots level learning and participation for people of colour with the aim of increasing this throughout the industry.
7. For all UK music organisations, ensembles, companies and conservatoires to act proactively and positively to BLiM annual findings on diversity in their organisations through independent and robust information gathering to be carried out by BLiM.
8. For all UK music organisations, ensembles, companies and conservatoires to contribute to a positive improvement in audience development by consciously ensuring their creative products are at least in part relevant to be considered by people of colour.
9. National music hubs to actively develop their work forces so they more accurately reflect contemporary British society, both in terms of staffing and instrumental teaching staff.
10. The creation of an independent fund to support young creators of colour towards a professional career.

Data and Research

Additionally, it is so important to create more data to capture the facts, and so BLiM are urging participants to take part in their current survey to compile these statistics and factual data. The website explains:

“There is currently no data on Black musicians in the UK. The Black Lives in Music survey is the first of its kind to research the lived experience of Black musicians, professionals and music creators in the UK.

The survey will capture data in the areas of well-being, economics, racial discrimination, mental health, education and the talent pipeline and use the results to campaign for equality, access and opportunity.

Data drives change. The insights will be used to create pathways and opportunities for Black musicians and music creators in the music industry.  It will also help Black Lives in Music to empower Black musicians to realise their aspirations by offering mentoring, support and opportunities.

Please complete our survey so we can create the data that’s needed to push for the changes we’re fighting to see.”

Open the survey here.

Black Lives in Music wishes to work with organisations, ensembles and companies throughout the UK music industry. We wish to open dialogues and build relationships in the true spirit of working together. We want to collaborate with all agents of the UK music industry to achieve equality for people of colour so they can express themselves in music of all genres and in all areas of this profession.

You can sign up to the charter now here, and join the community and become a member of Black Lives In Music. Donations are also welcome here.

Links:

Black Lives in Music Website

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