Diversity and Disparity in Band, Choir, and Orchestra Repertoire Lists: An Exploratory Analysis

Abstract This study investigated the gender identity, ethnicity, and vital status of 3,125 composers whose 24,273 works are featured on state-approved repertoire lists across wind band, choir, and orchestra disciplines in five geographically noncontiguous states. These lists influence scholastic musical activity through their prescriptive role in repertoire selection for ensemble performance evaluations. The analysis confirmed significant demographic disparities, with White male composers dominating all disciplines and state lists. White composers constituted more than 90% of the available works across disciplines, and men accounted for more than 90% of instrumental and 80% of choral lists, with few exceptions. The representation of non-White and nonmale composers was considerably lower among deceased composers. Differences between ensemble disciplines showed choir lists to be more gender diverse and orchestra lists to contain more deceased composers. Principal components analysis (PCA) reveals strong associations between demographic variables such as ethnicity, race, and gender identity, and Latent Class Analysis (LCA) highlighted the prevalence of deceased White men across all disciplines. Additionally, k-means clustering identified two groups with an inverse relationship between composers and works. On average, a small, overrepresented group of primarily White men appeared 20 times more often than those in a larger, diverse group of composers. These results suggest that biases in repertoire curation and the lists they create may be embedded in a broader, systemically biased system. This study underscores the need for inclusive practices in repertoire selection to create a more equitable musical education environment reflecting student and community diversity.