Lamont School of Music

A message from our director, Keith Ward, PhD

The Lamont School of Music joins the entire community of the University of Denver in standing against the perpetuation of systemic racism, oppression and racial violence. These injustices and the state of mind they reflect have marred this country for centuries, but especially this spring when our hearts were broken and our spirits ripped by the murders of African Americans such as Elijah McClain, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and George Floyd in a burst of anti-Black racism.

As our society grapples—again—with our continuing failure to be fair, equitable and just, Lamont’s faculty, staff and students are committed to being part of positive change. We will strive through the music we study, the repertoire we perform, the classes we teach, the audiences we engage, the faculty we hire and promote, the students we attract and support, and the examples we set to make our unique contributions toward systemic change.

Following the work by a group of staff and faculty who have already met to brainstorm and establish a structure for creating these changes, we will work collaboratively this summer to identify and select the types of authentic initiatives we can undertake as part of an institution committed to producing real change within itself, the broader community and this country. We will assess our work and share its results. We will be a part of the solution.