What is BCM?
The purpose of this national union is to unite Black Musicians across the U.S. Through our observations, many music organizations offer much support to musicians at pre-collegiate and postgraduate levels. However, the support while being in the university isn’t always there. Often, We are the ONLY Black students in our programs. This network would create a sense of community for students around the world. In hopes that they will no longer feel like the ONLY one.
This network would provide the following:
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Network amongst musicians at colleges all over the US.
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Mentorship amongst professionals in the field or other collegiate students.
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Space for community amongst peers. Allowing us to connect.
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Financial support through Scholarships, Emergency Funding, & Grants.
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Opportunity to experience live music making and to create music with professionals in the field with similar identities.
Our Story
In 2021, Brittney, Alexis, and Brianna, while at the Eastman School of Music and involved in the Black Students Union, helped establish Eastman’s first DEI office, now the George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion. Their passion for supporting Black musicians led them to volunteer at the Gateways Music Festival during their 2022 performance at Carnegie Hall, which was the very first all-black orchestra to perform at the venue. Our conversations with Lee Koonce, former President & Artistic Director of Gateways, and the powerful performances and experiences we made with orchestra, sparked a powerful idea of a network that would bring together Black music students across the nation.
Driven by this vision, they spent two years developing the concept for BCM and interviewing students throughout the nation, which culminated in the Fall of 2024 with the launch of Black Collegiate Musicians. This organization, rooted in their experiences and dedication, aims to connect and uplift Black music students nationwide. Black Collegiate Musicians is a testament to the Founder's journeys and experiences at Eastman, Alexis’s time at Spelman College, and Brittney’s time at Nazareth College, that have all inspired them through the powerful community they built along the way
Who is BCM For?
This is for Black-identifying students studying music in the collegiate setting—undergraduate, Master, Doctoral, and Artistic Diploma. If you are not pursuing a degree in music, but are involved in a music course, ensemble, receiving lessons, & or active in a music community at your university this is for you!
BCM is also a community-- and as a community we welcome professional musicians, allies, and those may not identify as a student but identify with our mission.
Why BCM?
The following themes emerged from our focus group sessions with Black students currently enrolled in or participating in collegiate musical study. The participants consisted of students from six different institutions for higher learning including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Public and Private Universities, and Conservatories. Questions posed to participants were designed to address specific needs of students and enhance their overall collegiate musical experiences. These findings helped shape our mission and programing offerings.
Community and Networking Opportunities
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Black Collegiate Musicians are looking for an outside organization to provide robust community and networking opportunities, mentorship and professional development, financial support, and targeted mental health resources.
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Students desire more opportunities for community engagement and collaboration.
Mentorship and Professional Development
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Need for more real-world application of their studies through professional development activities.
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Guidance on the steps between graduation and entering the professional world, including career planning and exposure to the music business.
Economic Assistance
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There are calls for financial support in various forms, including book scholarships, housing scholarships, and funding for summer programs, festivals, and conferences.
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Students express a need for economic assistance to cover travel expenses for internships and conferences, as well as support for food insecurity through food funds.
Mental Health Resources
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Access to Black therapists or therapists experienced in treating marginalized identities is a priority for students seeking mental health support.
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Need for more general mental health resources and support systems that understand and cater to their unique experiences.
Career and Academic Support
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Lack of understanding and support for multiple music career paths post-graduation. Students feel they lack transferable skills and are often left to figure things out on their own.
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Lack of opportunities to experience live performances by professional musicians within their crafts