I am writing in response to the recent commentary discussing changes to the music history curriculum in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. It appears to be the consensus of many students that the curriculum is beginning to stray too far from the “Western musical canon,” however, I come to offer a different perspective.

A few years ago, the music history curriculum here at Ithaca College was updated to include more diverse topics and underrepresented voices, de-emphasizing the Western Classical canon. However, in the curriculum’s current case study format, it does not prepare students for success as professionals in a diverse world.