Longy School of Music has released the final report from Cycle Two (2023-2026) of its Diversity in Repertoire Initiative, a multi-year effort to examine repertoire choices across the Conservatory and build a more inclusive programming culture.
The findings show meaningful progress. Across the cycle, 69% of composers featured in Longy’s performance venues met the criteria for Historically Underrepresented Composers, and 60% of performance occurrences featured their works. Longy exceeded its 50% benchmark in every year of the cycle.
The report also identifies clear areas for continued work. Works by non-living composers were performed more frequently than works by living composers. Works by women accounted for 22% of performance occurrences. Representation of composers of color ended the cycle below its starting level. Graduating Student Recitals remained comparatively low in works by living composers, women, and composers of color.
Cycle Three responds directly to those gaps. Longy will sustain the 50% benchmark for Historically Underrepresented Composers, phase in repertoire requirements for Graduating Student Recitals and Projects beginning with at least one qualifying work in Spring 2027 and rising to 15% and then 25% of total programmed content, and work toward representation goals of 35% for works by women and gender-diverse composers and 30% for works by composers of color by the end of the cycle.
The initiative is an expression of Longy’s Mission and Values, which call on the community to amplify overlooked voices, challenge long-standing conventions, and ensure that community members see themselves reflected on stage and in the repertoire.