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Best Practices

We hope you enjoy using the database! 

Here are a few points to keep in mind as you search: 

  • Boulanger Initiative’s Database (BID) is intended as a starting point for discovering gender-marginalized composers and their works - not a comprehensive source of information

  • Boulanger Initiative’s goal is to have available works in any possible combination of instruments/voices, representing composers of all historical time periods

  • While there is a need to categorize and manage data in order to create and share BID, these data represent real human beings and their creative work, which should be considered on their own merit

  • When using information from BID for purposes such as concert programming, we encourage learning as much as possible about a composer’s life, their influences, and the context in which they created music, in order to promote diverse composers without tokenizing them (or in other words, using their work as a singular representation of a population based on gender or race)

  • We encourage you to stay curious and explore further, both online and offline. The Boulanger Initiative website includes links to a variety of resources.

    • If you are looking for specific repertoire, programming guidance for an entire season, starting points into looking for composers to commission, or resources other than repertoire, we offer consulting services for these purposes

    • We regularly present online virtual events that cover a wide range of topics, including researching, programming, curation, curriculum planning, and more, as well as regular Wikipedia Edit-a-thons. Join us to take a deeper dive!

    • We offer Immersive Learning Experiences, both in-person and online, that cover a wide range of topics, including how to research, how to find and utilize primary sources, deep dives into the lives of specific composers, best practices for programming and concert curation, curriculum planning, Wikipedia Edit-a-thons, and more. If you are interested in having Boulanger Initiative present one of our research and education events visit this page for more information and fill out the form at the bottom of the page to get in touch. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.