Public Musicology, Public Radio: Some Approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Classical Radio

Abstract

Since 2019, I have served as the music director of Interlochen Public Radio. I oversee everything related to Classical IPR, a 24hour classical music FM station at Interlochen Center for the Arts. My role involves everything from how we sound on the air to what initiatives we’re undertaking in the local community to how on earth our little FM station in the woods of northern Michigan can compete in a crowded field of music services from all over the globe. In this piece, I’ll provide an overview of how some American classical music radio stations are approaching diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and then turn to some of the ways my team at Classical IPR addresses DEI on the air. Classical stations around the country have taken different approaches to DEI. Many stations are trying to program more music composed and performed by people from historically underrepresented groups in daily broadcasts. Others have created specific programs focusing on music by and issues pertaining to historically underrepresented groups. Examples of these specific programs include The Sound of 13: Celebrating Black Achievement in Classical Music and Feminine Fusion, the stated goal of which is to “highlight the influence of women in classical music.” These approaches, goals, and outcomes are unique to individual stations, music directors, and even hosts. There are no industrywide best practices for