Shared Notes for this Session:
https://goo.gl/y5pBH3 Music is one of the primary means by which racial and ethnic categories are maintained and understood. The fundamental connection between music and race is especially notable in urban areas, where musical institutions, both formal and informal, reflect and shape racial inclusion and exclusion. St. Louis, notorious for its history of racial segregation but also widely celebrated for its vibrant musical heritage, provides a significant test case for questions about the connections between music and segregation in urban life. The archives of both Washington University in St. Louis and the Missouri History Museum hold many materials related to this rich history. Patrick Burke, Associate Professor of Music at Washington University in St. Louis, will present the results of research he oversaw during the 2016-2017 academic year, which became an online exhibit telling the stories of five moments, spanning the years from 1923 to 1949, when St. Louis musical institutions either perpetuated practices of segregation or sought to resist them.
Following the presentation, Tom Caw will lead/moderate a discussion regarding the work Burke and his colleagues have done, and prompt attendees to share examples of similar endeavors they have undertaken or would like to develop going forward. This won't be the sort of MLA session where we end up with only 5 minutes for Q&A, and only one or two attendees get to speak.
