If I were a racist,
I'd know that,
Even though the grades may be black,
The spaces would remain white.
Nate Holder
We would like to invite you to the second workshop in the series "How do we talk about racism?" organised by the Institute of Music. For this we could win Nate Holder. In July 2020 (less than two months after the death of George Floyd) he published a poem entitled "If I were a racist...". (video)
Four years later, it became a book that shows how racism and White supremacy have inscribed themselves into music education.
The workshop builds on the book's theses and will be held in English.
His book "If I Were a Racist" is a critical and reflective examination of racism in music education. Through the representation of Africa, the interconnectedness of European classical music with the transatlantic slave trade, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and notation, he offers critical insights and a socio-historical context to analyse the pervasive effects of racism and white supremacy in contemporary music pedagogy.
Nathan Holder is an award-winning author, international speaker, musician, and education consultant who champions inclusive and diverse music education. With over a decade of experience, he has led CPD training, workshops, and lectures in schools and universities, addressing pedagogy and critical perspectives. Nate has collaborated with artists like Ghetts, KOKOROKO, and Emeli Sandé, and worked with organisations such as BBC, Hal Leonard Europe, and Oxford University Press. He currently serves on the boards of F-flat Books, APME, City of London Sinfonia, and Black Country Music Hub, and his band, Between Worlds, has been featured on BBC Radio. Nate regularly performs around the world, and he has authored twelve books, including Where Are All The Black Female Composers, If I Were A Racist and the award-winning Listen and Celebrate, inspiring educators and learners to embrace diversity in music education.
With best regards
Susanne Binas-Preisendörfer, Shanti Suki Osman, Arne Wachtmann