Cultural Equity and Inclusion Statement
At the Burbank Community Band, we are committed to fostering a musical environment that values and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a traditional concert band open to everyone high school age and older. We aim to provide an inclusive space where individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities can come together to create and enjoy music as a unified community. We believe that music has the power to transcend boundaries, connect hearts, and bridge differences.
The Burbank Community Band operates with a three-fold mission that embodies our commitment to cultural equity and inclusion:
- Fostering Inclusivity in Music-Making: Our primary goal is to provide an inclusive arena for local musicians of diverse backgrounds to come together and share the joy of making music. We believe in the inherent power of music to unite people and develop their talents, both in rehearsal and performance. We embrace musicians of all ages, identities, abilities, and backgrounds.
- Community Engagement and Celebration: We are dedicated to serving our community by offering free concerts that provide entertainment, commemorate holidays, and support charitable fundraising efforts. Our performances are designed to reflect the diversity of our community and celebrate the richness of cultural traditions.
- Educational Outreach for the Next Generation: As part of our commitment to cultural equity, we extend our mission to serve the children of Burbank and surrounding areas. Through performances in local schools and educational initiatives, we aim to teach young minds about music and band instruments, providing opportunities for musical discovery and learning for all.
Our commitment to cultural equity and inclusion includes:
- Diversity: We welcome musicians and audiences from all cultural backgrounds, ages, genders, races, ethnicities, abilities, and orientations. We recognize that our collective diversity enriches our musical experience.
- Access: We are dedicated to ensuring that our band is accessible to all members of the community. We strive to remove physical, financial, and other barriers that might prevent participation.
- Respect: We promote an environment of respect and dignity for all, valuing each individual’s unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating a safe and harassment-free space for everyone.
- Representation: We actively seek to represent the diversity of our community in our repertoire, programming, leadership, and decision-making processes. We believe that reflecting our community’s richness in our music is essential.
We are steadfast in our belief that a diverse and inclusive community strengthens our band and enriches our collective musical experience. By upholding these principles, we ensure that everyone feels welcomed, valued, and respected within our musical family.