“When we attend these young people’s concerts and promote them, our children — many of them are African Americans — should see a face that looks like them. I think that’s important,” said Dorothy “Dottie” White, membership committee for diversity, Women’s Committee executive board for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO).
For that reason White and others on the Women’s Committee are working diligently to increase minority participation in their organization. As a support network for the ISO, the Women’s Committee serves as volunteers for events, sponsors programs and hosts fundraising events in support for ISO programs.
The Women’s Committee also extends statewide membership to those living past the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
White became a member of the Women’s Committee stemming from her and her husband’s love of all forms of music. The Whites decided to become season ticket holders to the ISO. While at a fundraiser she was approached by a member of the committee and for the past five years has been devoting her time and energy to their efforts, particularly youth.
The Women’s Committee premier program is the Sallie Mae Fund Young People’s Discovery Concerts, which offers symphonic music to youth. White strongly stands behind this program because it provides an additional element to music in kids’ lives. .
“I was in college in music appreciation when I really heard (symphonic music) for the first time, understood it and appreciated it,” said White. “I want our young people to be interested in music other than rap that you hear today. One of the good things about the committee is we’re getting our youngsters a chance to be exposed to it early rather than waiting till they’re adults.”
In addition to diversifying the Women’s Committee, White also passes the message of appreciating an assortment of music to those who are interested in giving their time and service to the Women’s Committee.
White and her family attend the Pops Series, or popular music series, but the ISO offers a wide variety of concerts all can enjoy. Simon Crookall, president and CEO of the ISO, says the mainstay of programming is the Classical Series. There’s also the Coffee Concerts, the summer series at Conner Prairie, education and outreach to youth and Yuletide Celebration during Christmastime.
“We have a very conscious effort to broaden the base of our audience,” said Crookall.
He states there is specific emphasis on attracting Black and Hispanic audiences and ISO musicians. There has been in the past and continues to be special performances and events directly geared towards those audiences such as the annual Celebration of Black History and concerts featuring minority composers and artists.
“The Symphony is not just for rich white folks who live in Carmel, but for people all over the city. What I’d like to see is the audience integrated with lots of different people,” said Crookall.
White and the diversity committee are using concerts and literature as a way to gain more women of color. They have also created the “Just Ask” slogan to pique interest in joining one the many Women’s Committee’s projects.
White states her experience with the Women’s Committee has been very positive. Shortly after joining, she dove in and went straight to work. Like White, anyone who chooses to join will be a part of an inexpensive, open and friendly group dedicated to service.
For more information on the Women’s Committee, call (317) 262-1100.
