Expanding the Canon: A Choral Reading Session of Historically Excluded Composers

As organists and conductors, we are the gatekeepers of the treasury of sacred music. Our choices of voluntaries, anthems, motets, and service music define the canon of this repertoire for our congregations. By broadening the scope of this treasury and consciously including historically excluded composers, we can expand the canon of sacred music and expose our choirs and congregations to a wealth of music that has long been ignored. 

Drawing on a wide breadth of resources, this choral reading session will illuminate the work of sampled historically excluded composers and provide a starting point for further exploration by attendees. Highlighted composers will represent a rich cross-section of sacred musicians including women composers, Black composers, non-binary and Asian composers. The featured repertoire will be geared toward music that is approachable for the average church choir.