DATABASE & CURRICULUM GUIDES
A Knowledge Center about Composers from Gender and
Culturally-Marginalized Communities
Designed for everyone — educators, performers, conductors, students, researchers, and anyone with a curious mind — these resources make it easy to explore and celebrate the works of composers from gender and culturally-marginalized communities. From repertoire databases to curriculum guides that are ready to use in classrooms and educational spaces, all increase access to the works and stories of underrepresented composers, empowering all who wish to diversity classical music programming.
Women Composers and Gender-Marginalized Composers Repertoire Database
Designed for everyone – musicians, performers, conductors, students, researchers, educators, artistic administrators, and anyone with a curious mind – Boulanger Initiative Database (BID) provides access to thousands of works by women and gender-marginalized composers. By sharing knowledge and resources, BID increases access to works by underrepresented composers, empowering all who wish to diversify classical music programming.
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Performing)
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MU:Pr4.1.H.Ia — 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Responding)
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MU:Re7.1.H.Ia — Perceive and analyze artistic work
Beyond The Box, Into the Barlines
Beyond the Box is a curriculum guide series designed by Boulanger Initiative to bring to life women and gender-marginalized composers and musicians who have historically been relegated to one paragraph inserts or boxes in standard music history textbooks.
In Baroque-Era Women Composers, you will find information about not just music, but history, science, literature, art, fashion, cuisine; in other words, the worlds in which these composers lived!
With Women Composers Throughout History: Orchestra Edition, in response to orchestral programming trends remaining deeply unequal, this exploration of sixteen different women composers from all over the world will give you just a glimpse into the wealth of overtures, symphonies, and other pieces for orchestra that have been previously overlooked, from the 1700s to Present Day.
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Responding)
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MU:Re7.2.H.Ia — Perceive and analyze artistic work
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MU:Re8.1.H.Ia — Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
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MU:Re9.1.H.Ia — Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Connecting)
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MU:Cn10.0.H.Ia — Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
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MU:Cn11.0.H.Ia — Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art
Commemorative Month Lesson Plan Templates
OrchKids' Commemorative Month Lesson Plan Templates are tool teachers and programs can use to highlight diverse composers and musicians for different U.S. heritage months. Each individual template includes a short biography of the composer, listening links to their repertoire, and classroom activities to help students explore cultural history and music through engaging lessons.
Currently available through the HUB is lesson plan templates of Arturo Márquez (Hispanic Heritage Month), Florence Price (Black History Month), Lina Sleibi (Arab-American Heritage Month), and Joe Hisaishi (Asian-American Pacific Islander Heritage Month).
Standards Alignment: National Core Arts Standards (Responding)
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MU:Re7.1.4 — Perceive and analyze artistic work
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MU:Re8.1.6 — Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work
