Walla Walla Symphony’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The Walla Walla Symphony is committed to centering relationships with our communities as we work to build connections through music. We envision creating welcoming spaces that offer a sense of belonging where all are valued regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, political affiliation, or education.  

We believe that orchestral music is more relevant and alive when it honors tradition while embracing new ideas.  We strive to work towards unraveling a history of exclusivity prevalent in classical music and we will continue our pursuit of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through learning, listening, and engaging. 

We recognize that, at present, neither the musicians, the audience, the board, nor the staff of the Walla Walla Symphony fully reflect the diversity that is present in our valley. We want to transform our relevance to the diverse communities we serve.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Updates

10.31.23 - DEIB Planning Team meets to discuss changing the focus of ‘23-’24 Musician Town Halls from a teaching-learning model to a community meeting model facilitated by WWS’ Musician Liaison, in pursuit of the DEIB goal to Strengthen Orchestra Culture and Engagement Through a Lens of Equity.

10.27.23 - DEIB Committee begins “Identity” learning module, facilitated by Jessica Schmidt, with a discussion about terminology, community agreements, and an assignment to consider our own identities based on the iceberg model.

10.13.23 - DEIB Committee Membership solicited from among ‘23 -’24 season musicians.

9.12.23 - Catalyst Buddy meetings begin; WWS will convene monthly with leadership from Symphony Tacoma and Napa Valley Youth Symphony to discuss challenges and successes involved in diversifying programming and audiences and deepening community connections.

9.8.23 - First draft of DEIB Action Plan submitted to working group for review.

8.22.23 - WWS board retreat:

• Staff presented DEIB Work Schedule and solicited board member commitment for each module.

• Staff proposed a mission-centered org chart based on directionality of support for those who deliver on the mission, rather than a traditional top-down org chart that centers power.

8.15.23 - ‘23-‘24 WWS DEIB Work Schedule featuring three learning modules (Identity; Belonging; Community) completed

7.24.23 - Goals for Year 2 of our DEIB work through the Catalyst Program have been set:
1. Create and begin to implement our DEIB Action Plan
2. Create and foster an inclusive culture amongst our musicians; host 3 "Musician Town Hall" sessions: 11.13.23, 2.26.24, 5.13.23.
3. Support equitable music director search process
4. Continue cross-organizational learning and work through monthly DEIB committee meetings.

7.1.23 - We are looking forward to participating in Year 2 of the League of American Orchestra’s Catalyst Cohort. The funding, training, networking and support we’ve received through this program has helped us continue our work to become a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.

5.9.23 - Members of the Walla Walla Symphony board, staff and musicians participated in a retreat led by Jessica Schmidt of Orchestrate Inclusion to discuss the findings of the Stakeholder report. A small working group will begin creating a DEIB Action Plan later this summer.

2.9.23 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stakeholder Report released. Board, staff, musicians, volunteers, donors, and community partners were invited to join a virtual session about the report, led by Jessica Schmidt of Orchestrate Inclusion, held on February 22, 2023.