From Powdered Wigs to Protests: Short Stories, Essays, and Memoirs Unmasking Symphony Orchestra Culture
Advocacy & Resource Center
Welcome! It is our hope that these resources help classical musicians navigate challenges and access critical support. It was created to protect, inform, and uplift musicians at all levels of the profession whether you're a student, freelance artist, educator, or a member of a professional orchestra.
Tailored Guides
Resource Lists & Links
Safety & Ethics
Health & Wellbeing
Performing Arts Medicine and Injury Prevention
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA): International organization focused on musician and dancer health, research, education, and a clinician directory.
https://artsmed.org/
BAPAM British Association for Performing Arts Medicine: Health resources, injury prevention guidance, and performer focused medical services.
https://www.bapam.org.uk/health-resources/
Performing Arts Medicine Clinics and Practitioners Directory: Curated list of music medicine clinics and specialists.
https://www.harpsichord-hotsauce.com/post/list-of-performing-arts-medicine-clinics-music-medicine-practitioners
Musicians Health Collective Resources: Educational resources on injury prevention, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Body Mapping, and hearing health.
https://www.musicianshealthcollective.com/resources
---------------------------
Musician Health Education and Injury Awareness
Musician Health Resource:
General education on physical strain, pain prevention, practice habits, and wellness.
https://musicianhealthresource.com/
University of Puget Sound Musician Health and Safety:
Guides and links focused on safe practice, hearing protection, and physical wellbeing.
https://www.pugetsound.edu/school-music-students-and-community/current-music-students/musicians-health-and-safety
UT Austin Butler School of Musician Health: Overview of common musician injuries, mental health concerns, and wellness practices.
https://music.utexas.edu/perform-study/musicians-health
---------------------------
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Things Musicians Don’t Talk About Resources: Mental health, anxiety, injury, burnout, discrimination, and taboo issues in music.
https://www.thingsmusiciansdonttalkabout.com/resources
Royal Society of Musicians Health and Wellbeing: Webinars, injury prevention education, and mental health support
https://www.rsmgb.org/health-and-wellbeing
Independent Society of Musicians Health Services: Counselling, physiotherapy guidance, and physical health resources
https://www.ism.org/advice/physical-health/
--------------------------
Broader Music Health Resource Hubs
Music Connections Health Support:
Central hub linking to musician wellbeing organizations and support services.
https://musicconnections.com/resources/health-support/
American Viola Society Health and Wellness Resources: Curated list of clinics, injury prevention resources, and education.
https://www.americanviolasociety.org/health-and-wellness-resources/
Musicians Health Corner: Directory of performing arts health organizations and clinics.
https://www.musicianshealthcorner.com/resources.html
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Equity Arc: Advancing racial equity for BIPOC classical musicians and building pathways from early study to professional careers.
https://equityarc.org/
NAfME Diversity Equity Inclusion Access and Belonging Equity Resource Center: DEI resource center with articles, webinars, FAQs, and virtual collections for music educators.
https://nafme.org/diversity-equity-inclusion-access-belonging-deiab/
American Federation of Musicians DEIA Resources: Union commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for musicians including workplace protections and reporting tools.
https://www.afm.org/deia/
EDIMS Resource List: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Music Higher Education resources including guides, toolkits, and inclusive music learning tools
https://edims.network/resources/
Music Inclusion Hub Database and Curriculum Guides: Repertoire and curriculum resources celebrating composers from gender and culturally marginalized communities.
https://www.musicinclusionhub.com/database
MTNA DEI Studio Resources: MTNA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion materials and teaching resources for inclusive studio practice.
https://www.mtna.org/GP3/MTNA/Learn/DEI_Resources/DEI_Studio.aspx
Berklee College of Music DEI LibGuide: Guide to DEI-focused organizations, projects, and community groups including New Muses Project.
https://guides.library.berklee.edu/dei
Early Music America IDEA Resources: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access resources for early music communities.
https://www.earlymusicamerica.org/idea/
Friday Morning Music Club DEI Resource PDF: Curated list of repertoire databases and reading lists to support inclusive practice.
https://fmmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Resources-for-Inclusion-and-Diversity-in-Classical-Music.pdf
---------------------------
DEI-Focused Organizations for Classical Musicians
Sphinx Organization: National nonprofit supporting young Black and Latino classical musicians.
https://sphinxmusic.org/
Black Lives in Music (UK): Advocating for equity and opportunities for Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse music professionals.
https://www.blacklivesinmusic.co.uk/
HBCU School of Music Network: Focused on historically Black colleges and universities music programs and equity initiatives.
https://hbcumusic.org/
League of American Orchestras Diversity & Inclusion Resources: Tools, policies, and research for orchestras to foster equity and inclusion.
https://americanorchestras.org/diversity-equity-inclusion/
Women in Music: Advocates for gender equity and supports women composers, conductors, and performers.
https://www.womeninmusic.org/
New Music USA: Equity and Inclusion Resources – Supporting inclusive practices in contemporary classical music programming.
https://www.newmusicusa.org/programs/equity-inclusion/
Color of Music: Promoting representation and access for musicians of color in classical music education and performance.
https://colorofmusic.org/