Equity Arc Partners with United States Marine Band to Present the 2025 Equity Arc Wind Symphony
Equity Arc and the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band announce details for the 2025 Equity Arc Wind Symphony. This tuition-free, multi-day music intensive will be held on May 1–4, 2025 at the Marine Barracks.
This event marks the expansion of Equity Arc’s national programs for pre-college musicians of color. Musicians selected through a competitive audition process will learn from professional military musicians, network with peers from similar backgrounds, and participate in cultural activities in Washington, DC.
“Equity Arc’s mission to provide specialized support for young musicians from underrepresented communities and to help classical music become more equitable and inclusive is a necessary one. It is our distinct honor to host the first symphonic band festival, and we look forward to helping mentor the next generation of musicians.”
The Equity Arc Wind Symphony culminates in a free side-by-side performance with “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band led by renowned wind ensemble pedagogue Dr. Rodney Dorsey on May 4 at 2 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria, VA.
“We are pleased to hear about the impact of the National Pathways Festival Orchestra and are thrilled to open this transformative experience to more instrumentalists across the country. This is a unique opportunity to get an insider look into the career pathway of a military musician and connect with musicians from similar backgrounds.”
Eligible musicians can apply at app.getacceptd.com/equityarc until October 25, 2024.
Media wishing access or interviews should contact Paula Wilson, Member Services and Communications Manager at paula@equityarc.org.
About Equity Arc
Equity Arc is a national coalition of musical organizations and advocates whose mission and programming address the structural inequities in classical music that result in the field’s systemic lack of racial and ethnic diversity. Equity Arc creates and works with a robust network of passionate, experienced members from across the country and across the arc of musical development along two paths: Building a comprehensive arc of support and mentorship for instrumentalists to navigate the journey from student to professional and assisting in breaking down barriers to achieving success in the field. Equity Arc also provides forums, resources, and training for member organizations to dismantle the structural inequities, biases, and systemic racism ingrained in their policies and practices that inhibit the creation of equitable opportunities and environments for classical musicians of color.
In 2023, Equity Arc developed the National Pathways Collective, an initiative that provides a nucleus for Pathways Programs across the United States. Pathways Programs offer free, intensive musical training and mentorship that prepares pre-college musicians of color to enter prestigious collegiate music institutions. The National Pathways Festival is an annual opportunity for select fellows in the National Pathways Collective to convene in a central location for a multi-day musical intensive, working alongside professional orchestral musicians and forming the National Pathways Festival Orchestra.
About the United States Marine Band
Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Its mission is unique—to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Contact media@equityarc.org for more information and media inquiries.
