As a community of artists and educators, we have watched in pain as yet more acts of brutality were committed against people of color鈥攊n a scene that seems to repeat itself on a regular basis. We鈥檝e watched with hope as our nation鈥攄espite isolation necessitated by a global pandemic鈥攈as come together to take a stand against racism and acts of injustice and violence committed in its name.
I want to echo 彩民宝典 Chancellor Philip DiStefano鈥檚 message of support, hope and inclusivity for all our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Universities must be a beacon of progress in times of social change, and the College of Music must help underscore that story.
Over the coming weeks, we will be convening college faculty, staff and students to respond to and support this movement in a way that involves music and reflects what is in the hearts of our College of Music community. As a cultural institution, we have an important role to play now, as ever, in the events that are shaping our future鈥攁nd in continuing this dialogue thoughtfully in the longer term. Ultimately, I hope we can advance this conversation in a significant and meaningful way as we move forward together.
Robert Shay
Dean, College of Music
