Take on the Challenge
Joshua Thompson ’04 is passionate about unlocking the power of music. “I use music to give a sonic narrative to things that are hard to articulate,” he explains. “Sometimes words can get in the way, but music gives us a visceral reaction. It’s translatable and universal. It’s disarming.”
Through lectures, performances and interdisciplinary collaboration, Thompson seeks to shed light on aspects of our musical traditions that have historically been overlooked. His area of specialization – classical composers of African descent – serves as an entry point to engage audiences in timely conversations about race, social inequalities, strategies for community building and the importance of telling the comprehensive and accurate history of classical music.
“My responsibility as a musical sociologist is to provide folks with resources and experiences that I did not have,” says Thompson. “I identify a social need in my community, and I use music to increase empathy and develop strategies for change.”
In addition to his current role as Creative Partner in Residence with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and his work on the podcast Melanated Moments in Classical Music, Thompson is eager to bring his experience and connections to his alma mater by serving on the advisory board of the newly formed Creative School. “If you want to see change, you have a duty to be a part of that,” he says.
Although his own experience at DePauw was challenging at times – particularly in shifting his academic focus from music performance to sociology and in navigating the complexities of campus life as a person of color – Thompson believes those challenges have placed him in a unique position to offer an honest and constructive voice. “I’ll level my criticism, but if I didn’t, it would mean I didn’t care. You can’t know that you’re committed to an institution unless the institution challenges you.”
At the heart of Thompson’s commitment to the Creative School is the realization that aspiring artists and innovators are facing an uncertain future that will require multiple competencies and a keen ability to build diverse connections. These new demands require a new form of preparation.
“You can’t reach forward to the future if you’re too occupied with clinging to the past,” Thompson says, acknowledging the crisis that many traditional institutions currently face. “You might not like the game, but you have to learn how to play it.”
Despite the obstacles, Thompson remains optimistic. He hopes that the multifaceted nature of his own career can serve as a model for others.
“If I hadn’t had the experience at DePauw, I definitely wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now,” he says. “This university has an awesome opportunity to be at the forefront of transforming the landscape for the better. Things will not be perfect, and they don’t need to be. But it’s going to be fun to see what comes.”
Photo: Faith Blackwell
