Guide to BIPOC musicians and related literature
Finding Diverse Repertoire
Finding scores by composers of diverse backgrounds in the library search can be difficult if you don't already know what you're looking for. Here we have compiled a few resources to help you diversify your repertoire.
In this guide there is a small selecti
on of scores written by BIPOC composers which are already available through the music library. There are also online resources to assist you in finding additional repertoire. Once you identify a composer or work you can search the Music Library catalogue to see if we have a physical or electronic copy.
If we do not have the item you are looking for, you can request it through inter-library loan or suggest a purchase. By suggesting a purchase you contribute to making our collections more representative and diverse.
Image: León, Tania. Horizons : for Orchestra. Call #: M1045 .L576 H6 1999. Photo by A. Brzobohaty
Jump to: Scores, Recordings and Streaming Resources, or Web Resources.
Scores
Below is a small selection of items to give you a general idea of the kinds of scores the music library has, organized by instrument/ensemble.
Jump to: Orchestral Music, Chamber Music, Keyboard Music, Vocal Music: Solo and Choral, Percussion Music, String Music, Wind Music, Brass Music.
Orchestral Music
Boulogne, Joseph. Violin Concerto in D, Op. 3 No. 1. Wellington: Artaria Editions, 2002.
Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel. Ballade in A Minor, Op. 33. Edited by Nancy M. Bradburd. Boca Raton, FL: E.F. Kalmus, 2001.
Esmail, Reena, and Shankar Tucker. Clarinet concerto. Los Angeles, California, 2020.
Esmail, Reena.Vishwas. III, Testament : for orchestra. California: [A Piece of Sky Music], 2019.
Fairouz, Mohammed.Tahrir : for clarinet in B♭ and orchestra. New York: Peermusic Classical, 2013.
Fung, Vivian. Biennial Snapshots : for Full Orchestra. New York, NY: Vivian Fung Music, 2015.
Golijov, Osvaldo, and Rosalía de Castro. Lúa descolorida : for soprano and strings. Universal Edition, 2001.
Kim, Earl, and Itzhak Perlman. Violin concerto. Malvern, PA: Theodore Presser Company, 2021.
Kim, Earl. Dialogues : for piano & orchestra. King of Prussia, Pa: Theodore Presser Company, 2017.
León, Tania. Horizons: For Orchestra. New York: Peermusic, 1999.
Montgomery, Jessie. Coincident dances : for orchestra. New York: Jessie Montgomery Music Publishing. 2019
Price, Florence. Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3. Edited by Rae Linda Brown and Wayne Shirley. Middleton, Wis: A-R Editions, 2008.
Simon, Carlos. Amen! : for orchestra - double wind version. S.l: Csjr. Music, 2017.
Walker, George. Concerto for trombone and orchestra. Saint Louis, Missouri : Lauren Keiser Music, 2020.
Walker, George. Da Camera: For Piano Trio and String Orchestra with Harp, Celesta, Percussion & Optional String Ensemble, (2008). Maryland Heights, MO: Lauren Keiser Music, 2008.
Chamber Music
Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel. Piano Trio in E minor. Mallorca: Soundpost Publishing, 2005.
D'Rivera, Paquito. Aires Tropicales: For Woodwind Quintet. Englewood, NJ: Havana-New York Music, 1994.
Esmail, Reena. Feritas : for Trumpet Sextet. Pasadena, CA : A Piece of Sky Music, 2020.
Enriquez, Manuel. Cuarteto III. Munich: Edition Modern, 1978.
Frank, Gabriela Lena. Leyendas: an Andean Walkabout: For String Quartet. New York: G. Schirmer, 2005.
Fung, Vivian. Chanted Rituals : for trumpet/Flugelhorn and 2 Percussion. Brooklyn: Vivian Fung Music, 2017.
Fung, Vivian. Shaman Speaks : for Clarinet Ensemble. New York, NY: Vivian Fung Music, 2021.
Fung, Vivian. String Quartet No. 4 : Insects and Machines. Brooklyn: Vivian Fung Music, 2019.
Gnattali, Radamés. Suite Retratos: Pour Deux Guitares. Paris: H. Lemoine, 1987.
Golijov, Osvaldo. Yiddishbbuk: Inscriptions for String Quartet. Boston, MA: Ytalianna Music, 2001.
Kim, Earl. Earthlight, Romanza for High Soprano, Violin Con Sordini, Piano, and Lights. Hillsdale, N.Y: Mobart Music Publications, 1978.
León, Tania. Indígena : for large chamber ensemble. New York: Peermusic Classical, 2017
Owens, Robert. Idomeneo-Quartett: für Oboe, Violine, Viola und Violoncello: Op. 93. Salzgitter: Ostinato-Musikverlag, 2006.
Perry, Zenobia Powell, and Jeannie G. Pool. War time : from the opera Tawawa House : 2 trumpets, snare & bass. Jaygayle Music, 2013.
Simon, Carlos. Elegy : for saxophone quartet. Brooklyn: Csjr. Music, 2020.
Singleton, Alvin. Apple : for clarinet quartet. Mainz: Schott, 2014.
Singleton, Alvin. Woodwind quintet. Mainz: Schott, 2013.
Singleton, Alvin, et al. Et nunc : for alto flute, bass clarinet, and double bass. New York: Schott, 2016.
Yi, Chen. Not Alone & Happy Birthday to Prism: For Saxophone Quartet. Theodore Presser Company, 2017.
Keyboard Music
Dett, R. Nathaniel. In the Bottoms: For Solo Piano. Boca Raton, Fla.: Masters Music Publications, 2000.
Frank, Gabriela Lena, and Gabriela Lena. Frank. Sonata andina : for piano. New York, NY: G. Schirmer, Inc., 2014.
Huang, Ruo. Tree Without Wind: For Solo Piano. London: Ricordi, 2016.
Huang, Ruo. Inscribed : for sheng and violoncello . London: Ricordi, 2020.
Joplin, Scott. Complete Piano Works. Edited by Vera Brodsky Lawrence. New York: New York Public Library, 2010.
León, Tania. Pet’s suite : for flute and piano. New York: Peermusic Classical, 2017.
Louie, Alexina. I Leap Through the Sky with Stars: For Solo Piano. Toronto: Gordon V. Thompson, 1994.
Nyaho, William H. Chapman, ed. Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Perry, Zenobia Powell, and Zenobia Powell Perry. Orrin and Echo : for piano solo. La Crescenta, CA: Jaygayle Music, 2020.
Price, Florence, and Calvert Johnson. Suite no. 1 for organ. Edited by Calvert Johnson. Fayetteville, AR: ClarNan Editions, a division of Classical Vocal Reprints, 2020.
Singleton, Alvin. Mutations : for solo piano. Mainz: Schott, 2016.
Singleton, Alvin. Inside-out : for piano 4-hands. European American Music, 2011.
Smith, Joseph, ed. Four Early 20th Century Piano Suites by Black Composers. New York: G. Schirmer, 1997.
Still, William Grant. Bells: Two Pieces for Solo Piano. Flagstaff, Ariz: William Grant Still Music, 2011.
Walker, George. Prelude ; and Caprice : for piano. Maryland Heights: Lauren Keiser Music Publishing, 2008.
Walker, George. Spektra: For Piano. General Music Pub. Co., 1972.
Walker-Hill, Helen, ed. Black Women Composers: A Century of Piano Music (1893-1990). Bryn Mawr, PA: Hildegard, 1992.
Vocal Music: Solo and Choral
Andreo, Dante, ed. Hispanoamerica: Música de la Época Virreinal. Segovia: Federacíon Coral de Castilla y León, 1992.
Bonds, Margaret. Three Dream Portraits: Poems from The Dream Keeper. New York: Ricordi, 1959.
Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel, and Christina Georgina Rossetti. 6 Sorrow Songs : for High Voice : Op. 57. London: Augener, 1906.
Fairouz, Mohammed, and Judson Evans. Four Haiku Poems and Panopticon : for Tenor and Piano. New York: Peermusic, 2011.
Fung, Vivian. Sanci Kuni : for Mixed Chorus a Cappella. Brooklyn: Vivian Fung Music, 2017.
Garcia, José Maurício Nunes, Sigismund Ritter Von Neukomm, and Marcos Portugal. Real Capela do Rio de Janeiro, 1808-1821 : Obras Sacras. Edited by Ricardo Bernardes. Rio de Janeiro: Funarte, 2002.
Harper, T., & Tullos, L. An anthology of African and African diaspora songs (L. Toppin & S. Piper, Eds.). Videmus, 2021.
Nicholas, John, trans. Billie Holiday: Original Keys for Singers: Vocal/Piano. Milwaukee, WI: H. Leonard Corp, 2002.
Price, Florence, and Barbara Garvey Jackson. Communion Service : in F for SATB Choir and Organ. Edited by Barbara Garvey Jackson. Fayetteville, AR: Clarnan Editions, 2015.
Simmons, Margaret R., and Jeanine Wagner, eds. A New Anthology of Art Songs by African American Composers. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2004.
Taylor, Vivian, ed. Art Songs and Spirituals by African-American Women Composers. Bryn Mawr, PA: Hildegard Publishing, 2005.
Walker, George. Ev’ry Time I Feel de Spirit : for High Voice and Piano. St. Louis, MO: Lauren Keiser Music Publishing, 2008.
Walker, George, Joyce Mathis, Walter J. Turnbull, and Warren Wilson. Cantata for Soprano, Tenor, Boys Choir, and Chamber Orchestra. St. Louis, MO: Keiser, 2008.
Wilson, Kathleen L., ed. The Art Song in Latin America: Selected Works by Twentieth-Century Composers. Stuyvesant, NY: Pendragon Press, 1998.
Percussion Music
Abe, Keiko. Michi: For Marimba. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Music for Percussion, 1979.
Fung, Vivian. The Voices Inside My Head: For 3 Percussionists (2014). New York: Bill Holab, 2014.
Ho, Vincent. Nostalgia: Vibraphone. Wellington, N.Z., Promethean Editions, 2012.
Sierra, Roberto. Bongo-0: (Bongo-zero): For Bongos. Verona, NJ: Subito Music, 2004.
Walker, George, et al. Bleu : for vibraphone. [George Walker], 2014.
String Music
Davis, Anthony. Violin Sonata for Violin and Piano. New York: G. Schirmer, 1995.
Kim, Earl, and Itzhak Perlman. 12 Caprices for Solo Violin. Cambridge, Mass: Palindrome Press, 1988.
Lavista, Mario. “Natarayah : Para Guitarra.” México, D.F: Ediciones Mexicanas de Música, 1999.
Lavista, Mario. Quotations: Para Cello y Piano. La Habana: Musica de Nuestra America, 1980.
Montgomery, Jessie. Rhapsody no. 2 : for solo viola. New York: Jessie Montgomery, 2021.
Singleton, Alvin. Helga: For Violin, Viola and Cello. New York: Schott, 2003.
Romero, Aldemaro. Suite for Cello and Piano. Milano, Italien: A.A.A. Prologo srl, Cesano Boscone, 1976.
Wind Music
Cáceres, Germán. Cinco Deploraciones: Para Flauta Sola (1988). Havana, Cuba: Casa de las Américas, 2000.
Coltrane, John. The Music of John Coltrane. Milwaukee, Wis: Hal Leonard, 1991.
Esmail, Reena. The whole story : sonata for oboe and piano. United States: Piece of Sky Music, 2004
Fairouz, Mohammed. Three novelettes : for alto saxophone and piano. Massachusetts?: Radnofsky Couper Editions, 2010
Grigson, Lionel, ed. A Charlie Parker Study Album. London: Novello, 1989.
Lavalle, Armando. Sonata Para Piano y Oboe. México : Liga de Compositores de México, 1983.
Lavista, Mario. Canto del alba. Mexico: Ediciones Mexicanas de Musica, 1980.
Brass Music
Davis, Miles. Standards. Milwaukee, WI: H. Leonard, 2001.
Fung, Vivian. Indigenous Rites: Concerto for Baritone, Saxophone and Brass Band (2013). Brooklyn, NY: Bill Holab Music, 2015.
Fung, Vivian. Rhapsody for trumpet and piano. California?: Vivian Fung, 2017.
Marsalis, Wynton. Ballads. Transcribed by David Pugh, David Pearl, and Tom Toriello. Miami, FL: Warner Bros. Publications, 1997.
Singleton, Alvin, et al. Vous compra : for trumpet and piano. New York: Schott, 2021.
Web Resources
There are numerous web-based resources dedicated to helping you find composers and compositions from racialized and underrepresented groups, such as the Institute for Composer Diversity, The Composers Equity Project, A Seat at the Piano, and the Composers of Color Resource Project. Once you have found a piece of music, look it up in the Music Library catalogue to gain access. If we do not have it, you can request it through inter-library loan or suggest a purchase.
Jump to: Vocal, Keyboard, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Strings. Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, Percussion.
- Institute for Composer Diversity
Composer Diversity Database is a resource for the musical community through which composers from underrepresented groups can be discovered. Composers can be found through several different search filters including gender, racial/ethnic demographics, sexual/romantic identity, residence, and various large ensemble and chamber ensemble genres. All composers have provided their consent and have confirmed the information included in the Composer Diversity Database. - Music By Black Composers Repertoire DirectoryMusic by Black Composers’ repertoire directories are designed for performers, conductors, programmers, researchers, teachers, and students.
Includes: Violin and Orchestra, Solo Violin, Solo Piano, and Classical Guitar - BIPOC Canadian ComposersThis dataset comprises a list of composers who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC) with a connection to Canada (e.g. are Canadian, working in Canada, or from an Indigenous nation situated in what is now known as Canada).
***Must be downloaded
Percussion
- Percussion Pieces by Black ComposersCrowdsourced spreadsheet of percussion works by Black composers. Tabs for percussion solos, percussion ensembles, mixed instrumentation, and steelband.
Guitar
- Repertoire for Classical Guitar by Black ComposersSpreadsheet organized by seperte tabs for solo classical guitar, chamber classical guitar, solo electric guitar, chamber electric guitar, solo other plucked string, chamber other plucked string.
Brass
- Brass Music by Black Composers and ArtistsOngoing project compiled by Jeremy E. Smith
- Catalog of Trumpet (and Brass) Works by Gender-Marginalized People and/or Black, Indigenous, or Persons of ColorCompiled by Ashley Killam. Spreadsheet with tabs for etudes / studies, solo / featuring, younger works, mixed chamber, brass ensembles, and trumpet ensembles.
- Repertoire for Horn by Underrepresented ComposersIncludes lists of repertoire for solo horn, horn with piano, horn concertos, and a variety of chamber ensembles.
Woodwinds
- Bassoon Music by Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Women Composers and/or Black, Indigenous, and Composers of ColorGoogle spreadsheet organized in separate tabs for chamber music, solo works, and études
- Bassoon Repertoire by Black ComposersSpotlight lists from Institute for Composer Diversity
- Clarinet RepertoireNot BIPOC specific. Clarinet Repertoire is an ongoing project meant to promote gender diversity in clarinet recital programming. Includes repertoire for solo clarinet, solo bass clarinet, solo clarinet and electronic media, and clarinet and piano duos.
- Flute Music by BIPOC ComposersHeavily features repertoire for flute but also includes short lists for oboe and bassoon.
- Flute Repertoire by Black ComposersSpotlight lists from Institute for Composer Diversity
- Woodwind Music by Composers in Underrepresented GroupsRedirects to repertoire lists by instrumen type.
- Woodwind Quintet Music by Latin American ComposersWorking document of woodwind quintets, organized by country
Strings
- Cuarteto Latinoamericano Virtual LibraryResource for Latinx compositions for string quartet. All music available for download.
- Repertoire for Unaccompanied Solo ViolinSpotlight list from Music by Black Composers
- The Sphinx Catalog of Latin-American Cello Works
The Sphinx Catalog of Latin American Cello Works has been created in order to facilitate the access to information related to the work of Latin American composers centered on the cello. It is the most extensive source of its kind, with more than 2000 entries on the date of its release. It provides information about works where the cello has a prominent role as a solo instrument, soloist with orchestra, in duo with another instrument or electronic media, or in cello ensembles. - String Repertoire by BIMOCCategories in Order:Violin Concerti, Violin Etudes, Violin Pieces, Viola Concerti, Viola Pieces, Cello Concerti, Cello Pieces, Double Bass Concerti, Double Bass Pieces, Double Bass Chamber, Chamber Music with Strings
- Strings / Chamber Repertoire by BIPOC ComposersHosted by the University of Southern California.
Repertoire arranged by: Violin Concerti, Violin Etudes, Violin Pieces, Viola Concerti, Viola Pieces,
Cello Concerti, Cello Pieces, Double Bass Concerti, Double Bass Pieces, Chamber Music, and
Double Bass Chamber Music - Underrepresented Composers Database
Hosted by the American Viola Society, this database explores repertoire by underrepresented composers that involves the viola as a significant voice.
Orchestra
- Diverse Composers of Orchestral MusicList of works for string, chamber, and full orchestra, organized into different tabs (women composers, composers of colour)
- Repertoire for Violin and OrchestraSpotlight list from Music by Black Composers
Wind Ensemble
- Diverse Composers of Wind Band MusicList of repertoire for wind instruments and wind instrument ensembles organized in 3 separate tabs (women composers, composers of colour, LGBTQIA+ composers); includes links to composers' websites.
- Wind Repertory ProjectA comprehensive database of wind literature, expanded by contributions of band directors/conductors, students, and wind band enthusiasts worldwide. Here you will find detailed information on literature for winds.
Scroll down to view category filters which include female composers, African American composers, LGBTQ composers, and composers of different international origins
Keyboard
- Repertoire for Solo PianoSpotlight list from Music by Black Composers
- A Seat at the Piano
A Seat at the Piano promotes and advocates for the inclusion, study, and performance of a more equitably representative body of piano works. By creating a resource for musicians, pedagogues, and curious music appreciators, ASAP aims to broaden their knowledge of composers and their works.
Search by name, title, level, identifier, nationality, and other keywords.
e.g. Female, Canadian, African American
Vocal
- Beyond Elijah Rock: The Non-Idiomatic Choral Music of Black ComposersThe following spreadsheet is a working list of the non-idiomatic choral music of black composers. In no way is it meant to be an exhaustive list. However, it serves to provide a starting point.
This list does not include arrangements of existing material such as hymns or other folk songs. Available tabs at the bottom of the list are Full List, SATB, SSAA, TTBB, Other Voices, Unaccompanied, Accompanied, and Choral-Orchestral.
Additional resources including anthologies, bibliographies, encyclopedias, and organizations are listed below. - BIPOC Voices
This is a database of works for one or more singers accompanied by instruments. This includes opera, oratorio, orchestral art song, vocal chamber music, and many things that defy simple categorization.
This database does not include art song for voice and piano. Nor does it include music in which a choir is the main focus. Both of these can be found in the Institute for Composer Diversity’s database. - Black and Brown Composers in Baroque Latin America: An Introduction to the RepertoireAn introduction to and survey of repertoire by composers of color and native-born South American composers from Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia from 1600 to 1800, with an emphasis on villancicos, cantatas, and other works for voices and chamber ensemble.
- Black Opera Research Network: Works List
This is a list of operas by black creators (composers, librettists, choreographers, etc.). It provides a glimpse of the wide range of black operatic activities that have been pursued around the world and throughout history. - Kassia DatabaseThe Kassia Database is a resource for musicians to aid in the discovery and celebration of art song by women composers. The database includes songs from the Baroque period through the 21st century, and have been categorized by level, voice type, language, composer, and composer dates. Related information includes range, tessitura, piano accompaniment, vocal line, and links to available scores. The analysis is intended for singers from beginning high school through the collegiate level and professional career. The database leads you to find the unique voices and expansive styles of each individual composer, with the hopes to increase performance and advocation of each woman's often overlooked works.
- A Resource on Vocal Works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour) ComposersThis resource was initially commissioned by the University of Toronto’s Voice Studies Program, made possible by a generous gift from Dianne W. Henderson. Organization: Databases | Anthologies | Soprano | Mezzo-Soprano | Tenor | Baritone/Bass
- Song HelixOnline tool to discover art song repertoire (standard and contemporary)
Includes search filters for gender identity, ethnicity, race, and language
Recordings and Streaming Resources
The Music Library provides many streaming resources that can connect you to music composed by BIPOC musicians and music performed by BIPOC artists. Check out the links below to get started:
Watch Russell Thomas perform the title role in Mozart's Idomeneo, with access provided by Medici.tv, the largest online collection of classical music, operas and ballets in the world.
Watch so
prano Yetzabel Arias Fernández perform in Bach's Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, with access provided by Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall.
Watch Le Mozart Noir: Reviving a Legend, a documentary about Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, with access provided by Alexander Street, a massive database of online videos.
Watch Taking Lacanga, a documentary about Brazilian music in the 1970s, with access provided by Quest TV, a streaming platform fo
r concerts and documentaries on Jazz, Soul, Funk, Blues, African music, Latin music, Indian music, and more!
Listen to Keiko Abe's "Conversation in the Forest," on Naxos, a streaming service with access to more than a million tracks of standard and rare repertoire.
Listen to Adonis Rose's new album Piece of Mind on Naxos Jazz, a streaming service with access to a wide range of jazz from the legends to contemporary music.
Or check out Jeremy Dutcher's Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa from our extensive collection of physical recordings.
Anthologies
Anthology of Latin American and Iberian Art Songs by Women Composers by Call Number: M1619 .L28 2020ISBN: 9781733903554Publication Date: 2020-04-26An Anthology of Latin American and Iberian art songs by Women composers including 23 songs in Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese by five composers from Argentina, Brazil, Catalunya, Cuba, and Colombia. The book includes a bilingual introductory study presenting the composers and poets, poetry translations, and sheet music.
Anthology of Art Songs by Latin American & Iberian Women Composers V. 2 by Call Number: M1619 .L28 2020 v.2ISBN: 9781737892090Publication Date: 2022-10-01The second volume of the Anthology of Art Songs by Latin American and Iberian Women Composers. It contains 31 songs for voice and piano in Spanish, Catalan, and Portuguese by 10 composers from Argentina, Brazil, Catalunya, Cuba, and Colombia. The book includes a bilingual introductory study presenting the composers and poets, poetry translations, & Phonetic transcriptions -IPA-
