Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-05-17 19:26
No, it's not Al Gore's, and the climate crises, much as I personally subscribe to the severity of this situation.
Rather, it's both the fact that US orchestras don't reflect ethnic diversity to the extent to which it exists in the population, and difference in opinion on how to best change this.
I hope the very fact that I recognize and want to change this finds me not being racist.
I am for nearly all situations in life where affirmative programs seek out minorities for acceptance into academic and professional fields, and commensurate mentoring, that recognizes the need to produce such minority talent to undo not only historical inequities, but existing limits in the opportunities to people of color inherent in our society in many areas: the classical musical performance arts being one.
And yet, when it comes to things like orchestral auditions I feel there is no option but to accept players strictly on talent, even though it's a heavy handed decision for me knowing that such talent would be better ethnically diverse if something closer to equal opportunity existed in places like public schools, and access to (good) instruments and teachers and opportunity to study music.
Were two players of extremely similar talent competing for an orchestral position in initially blind auditions, and prior to job offer, it became clear that one was a minority, I'd be okay with affirmative hiring policy among equally talented players.
Are my views racist? I hope not. It's just that when that “bassoon solo comes along,” there's no opportunity to mentor the soloist real time: they have to be able to handle things on their own, unlike say in a corporate environment where work product can first be reviewed. And do I believe that equal opportunity would eventually produce classical musicians of all backgrounds: of course. And do I believe that there are classical musicians of color out there now more than capable of holding their own: you bet I do—just not enough due to inequity in opportunity.
I am afraid that the solution to this problem takes a generation and doesn't come overnight, or, at least in this unique employment situation, starts with something closer to equal access to music education as a youngster than affirmative hiring practices for classical positions.
It it possible that I'm misguided, wrong, even bigotted? I hope not but sure. Let's civilly discuss this and all become more informed and wise. 
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The Clarinet BBoard
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