For centuries, classical music has been shaped by a narrow lens, largely ignoring the rich contributions of composers and musicians from the Global Majority—those who identify as Black, Asian, Brown, dual heritage, and other groups indigenous to the global South. The Global Majority Music Project by the New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) seeks to change this narrative by elevating the voices, stories, and works of these historically underrepresented artists.

Through the Global Majority Project, NOW has showcased the works of 13 Global Majority composers over the last four seasons, bringing much-needed attention to their incredible contributions to the art form. Additionally, 40% of NOW’s on-stage musicians and 14 featured soloists and dancers hail from these communities. The effort extends off-stage as well, with 35% of NOW’s Board of Directors and 60% of the administrative team identifying as members of the Global Majority.

This project is about more than just performing overlooked music—it’s about reshaping classical music for a diverse world. By commissioning new works from Global Majority composers, expanding representation in our orchestra, and welcoming audiences from these communities, NOW is working to ensure that classical music reflects the world it seeks to inspire.

Looking ahead, NOW plans to commission, perform, and record more works by Global Majority composers, expand its outreach to underrepresented communities in the DMV area, and inspire Global Majority youth through music education and performance opportunities. This bold initiative is part of NOW’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and representative future for classical music.