ABOUT US

ABOP was established to support and guide young and emerging Black orchestral percussionists

Recognizing the lack of diversity in the field of classical music performance, and identifying a need to increase the pool of qualified Black percussionists in our country’s symphonic orchestras, a team of professional Black orchestral percussionists and educators came together in 2021 to lay the foundation for the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists. 

ABOP’s goal is to change the paradigm of representation in orchestras by guiding, supporting, and empowering future generations of Black orchestral percussionists.

To reach this goal, ABOP has implemented the Black Orchestral Percussion Mentorship Program, a training program—the first of its kind—to guide and motivate Black orchestral percussionists to realize their full potential.

The Mentorship Program will boost national percussion audition rosters with exceptional Black candidates who are prepared, well-trained, and strong contenders for any orchestral position across America.  By guiding Black percussionists and providing long-range support and direction, ABOP is determined to increase the number, as well as raise the performance level, of Black percussionists preparing to audition for universities/conservatories, and eventually, orchestra positions.