Atlanta Symphony says Cobb schools not diverse enough - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

The Cobb County school district says two high school choruses will not sing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra this year due to complaints that the programs don't show enough diversity.

Cobb County's Lassiter and Walton High School choruses have performed with the Atlanta Symphony over the past four years during the ASO's Holiday Pops" concerts.

But district spokesman Jay Dillon said, "this year, the schools were informed by symphony officials that their choruses are not diverse enough, and that the symphony would be inviting a third, more diverse chorus."
    
The Cobb spokesman said the schools were told that only a portion of the Lassiter and Walton choruses would be able to attend, so the schools have declined to participate this year.  

The school district says its choral programs are open to all students and participation is determined on merit alone.

In a statement, the symphony's vice-president for marketing said the ASO has a long tradition of inviting talented amateur singers to perform. Charlie Wade said, "The Lassiter and Walton High School choruses have done an outstanding job, but they are only two of at least 12 very fine high school choirs in the Atlanta area.   We think those choirs merit a chance to sing with the ASO as well."

Wade said that the symphony plans to share its stage with Atlanta's Grady High School chorus for the first time.

In its statement, the ASO did not address the question of its own diversity.

While orchestras' diversity across the nation is said to be increasing, a report four years ago said most remain overwhelmingly white.