Composer Diversity in Your Music Classroom, Weigand, Summer 2026

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S81
Instructor:	Stefanie Weigand, M.M.Ed.
Location:	Online asynchronously
Dates and Times:	July 13 – Aug 10, 2026
Credits:	1 Graduate Credit
Tuition:	Set by and payable to educational partner VMEA

Course Description

In this asynchronous online course, students will explore existing data on program (repertoire) diversity and how it has evolved over time using research completed by the Institute for Composer Diversity. We will also explore their ‘best practices’ charts, looking at example programs for a variety of classroom types and age groups. Students will learn about different databases that are available to use when considering new repertoire and discuss the obstacles to creating an equitable program (including financial/budgetary limitations, pedagogical needs, etc.) as well as strategies for overcoming each. Finally, the students will program their own repertoire for a class or ensemble across the entire year using the tools available to them, such as school & organization libraries, online databases, and other sample programs.

Audience: Music Educators, with a Bachelor's Degree, all grades and disciplines

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

Students will understand the results of data/research studies pertaining to composer diversity in music repertoire/programming
Students will understand the importance of diversifying composer backgrounds, and how these choices affect student engagement
Students will learn best practices to selecting diverse composers for their programs
Students will learn where to find published works by new composers (databases, foundations, libraries, and publishing companies)

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to use data/research to support and justify the work being done in their own classroom when speaking with parents, students, and administrators
Students will be able to create a more representative program of music for their own classroom(s) no matter the age, experience level, or ensemble
Students will use a best practices model to select programs for the coming school year

Required Readings/Resources

Costs for required readings/resources, if any, are not included in the course cost.

Goodwin, Gavin. Classifying Diversity: Composer Identities and the Composer Diversity Database. 19 May 2021.

Wiprud, Theodore, et al. CATALYST GUIDE EQUITY, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION in ARTISTIC PLANNING 1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Artistic Planning. 8 Dec. 2022.

Deemer, Rob, and Cory Meals. “Orchestra Repertoire Report.” 2024.

Liss, Liz, "Diversity of Programming by Race and Gender in College and University Band Concerts" (2023). Undergraduate Honors Theses. Paper 805. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/805

Cumberledge, Jason P, and Matthew L Williams. 2022. “Representation in Music: College Students’ Perceptions of Ensemble Repertoire.” Research Studies in Music Education (April 2, 2022): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X211066844

For additional course information

Stefanie Weigand

(802) 498-7274

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team

This course requires registration with educational partner Vermont Music Educators Association (VMEA) first using the Register Now! button below.