November 20, 2020
National Philharmonic Partners with Pretrial Justice Institute to Raise Awareness
Virtual event to combine an evening of classical music and discussion of racial justice in the classical music world and beyond
WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 20, 2020)—The National Philharmonic is proud to announce a partnership with Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI) in hosting Harmonic Justice, an online event that combines classical music with raising awareness on racial justice in classical music and beyond. On Monday, November 30, 2020 at 7 p.m. ET, NatPhil and PJI will convene a panel of musicians to discuss how racial equity can be better achieved in orchestral programming—and how those efforts can reverberate in the world at large. The conversation will be interspersed with classical musical interludes.
The panel for the evening will consist of musicians Chaz Salazar (flutist and 2020 Orchestral Futurist Fellow at NOI+F) and Garrett McQueen (bassoonist and Executive Producer of the Trilloquy podcast), along with Founder and Artistic Director of Sister Cities Girlchoir, Alysia Lee, and National Philharmonic President and CEO, Jim Kelly. The discussion will be moderated by Cherise Fanno Burdeen, executive partner at the Pretrial Justice Institute and Nat Phil board member.
While National Philharmonic has always strived to embrace racial and gender diversity, in November of 2019, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County brought leaders, including National Philharmonic, together to discuss Racial Equity & Humanities. That conversation led the organization to take further steps, including a full season of music largely influenced by both composers of color and women composers. In early 2019, the Pretrial Justice Institute committed to an equity transformation as well, centering racial justice as the foundation of their vision, mission and work. This event is a continuation of both organizations’ efforts to advance racial equity.
The National Philharmonic serves the residents of the Washington, DC metro area. The primary goal of the organization is to provide audiences with high quality, professional performances at a convenient location and affordable prices. The National Philharmonic also aims to appeal to the diverse cultural backgrounds of the community through its musical performances and educational programs.
The Pretrial Justice Institute serves to advance safe, fair, and effective juvenile and adult pretrial justice practices and policies that honor and protect all people.
National Philharmonic relies on the generosity of its donors to continue bringing you the music. Your contribution is critical to our continued success.