Beyond the Canon: Queer Musicians and the Evolution of Inclusive Pedagogy
Location
Ponderosa Room A
Presentation Type
Presentation
Presentation Topic
Classical Music, Music Pedagogy, Queer Studies
Start Date
6-3-2026 10:10 AM
Event Sort Order
3
Abstract
Classical music, or music rooted in educated European tradition, including forms such as chamber music, opera, and symphonies, is deeply embedded with tradition, from recital rituals and ensemble formations to gendered roles as musicians. As such, queer (LGBTQ+) individuals have faced barriers of discrimination due to the indivisible relationship of religion and classical music throughout history. The discriminations faced due to the traditionality of classical music, such as the factioning of voice parts, make it difficult for queer and gender non-conforming musicians to participate in and rise within classical music. Despite the inhibiting and erasure of queer musicians due to these barriers, earlier individuals such as composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Ethyl Smyth were able to gain significance within classical music. In the 21st century, the presence of queer musicians within classical music has shown a substantial increase, such as in the work of vocalists Adrian Angelico, Davóne Tines, and Lucia Lucas, who work to mend the deeply ingrained gendered expectations of the opera industry. Efforts to break these binding traditions are also seen in the field of music education, with the advocacy for inclusive experiences for musicians in training as well as emerging pedagogy discussing the teaching of queer students. This research analyzes the history of queer musicians within classical music from the 19th century to the present, the barriers these individuals faced, and the efforts being taken to mitigate the barriers queer individuals face in becoming classical musicians. This research adds to the lacking queer historiography of classical music under an intersectional lens of gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status by using qualitative comparative source work of primary and secondary sources.
Beyond the Canon: Queer Musicians and the Evolution of Inclusive Pedagogy
Ponderosa Room A
Classical music, or music rooted in educated European tradition, including forms such as chamber music, opera, and symphonies, is deeply embedded with tradition, from recital rituals and ensemble formations to gendered roles as musicians. As such, queer (LGBTQ+) individuals have faced barriers of discrimination due to the indivisible relationship of religion and classical music throughout history. The discriminations faced due to the traditionality of classical music, such as the factioning of voice parts, make it difficult for queer and gender non-conforming musicians to participate in and rise within classical music. Despite the inhibiting and erasure of queer musicians due to these barriers, earlier individuals such as composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Ethyl Smyth were able to gain significance within classical music. In the 21st century, the presence of queer musicians within classical music has shown a substantial increase, such as in the work of vocalists Adrian Angelico, Davóne Tines, and Lucia Lucas, who work to mend the deeply ingrained gendered expectations of the opera industry. Efforts to break these binding traditions are also seen in the field of music education, with the advocacy for inclusive experiences for musicians in training as well as emerging pedagogy discussing the teaching of queer students. This research analyzes the history of queer musicians within classical music from the 19th century to the present, the barriers these individuals faced, and the efforts being taken to mitigate the barriers queer individuals face in becoming classical musicians. This research adds to the lacking queer historiography of classical music under an intersectional lens of gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status by using qualitative comparative source work of primary and secondary sources.
Presenter Bio
Parker Haller is an undergraduate student at the University of Central Oklahoma, majoring in Public Health with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. He works as a librarian at UCO’s Women’s Research and BGLTQ+ Student Center and serves as a Sexual Health Ambassador intern.
His research examines the intersection of queerness and classical music. Parker has previously presented on the effects of community prejudice on the gender expression of masculine transgender individuals at the Tenth International Gender and Sexuality Studies Conference.
As a queer classical musician shaped by a traditionally rigid music education, Parker became interested in the history of LGBTQ+ classical musicians and inclusive pedagogical practices. He hopes to raise awareness of inclusive approaches in music education to support the retention of queer youth in the fine arts.