Stephen Spottswood, the founder of the Columbus Cultural Orchestra and local schoolteacher, spoke with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in honor of Black History Month about the importance of encouraging youth to learn to play a musical instrument and supporting local musicians.

African Americans make up 1.8% of employed musicians in U.S. Orchestras and Spottswood is dedicated to helping increase representation by providing Black children musical opportunities.  For 11 years, he’s taught inner-city orchestra programs and said many youth start playing an orchestra instrument roughly.

But he’s found encouraging them to play like they are rocking a baby can make a big impact both for their music, but also their psyche.

“A lot of inner-city children have a lot of exterior walls …  because of poverty, the hardships that they face and the trauma that they see,” Spottswood said. “So, when I tell them to play gently like you are rocking a baby, it’s not just doing it with (the) instrument. They start to relax, and they will come to me and say ‘That feeling that I felt or that gentleness that I felt, I needed it. I started to break down my walls and become emotional. Music helps me to do that.’”

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. The Court’s Diversity Committee hosts several presentations a year celebrating minority groups and exploring what everyone can learn from their experiences. The national 2024 Black History Month Theme is African Americans and the Arts.

Spottswood joined U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison on Feb. 12, 2024, from her bench in Columbus and they had a conversation about his work and the challenges he faces. The conversation was broadcasted to the courthouses in Cincinnati and Dayton.

“My cousins grew up playing sports, in society we are told to run and jump and to play basketball and football,” Spottswood said.  “It’s not really a message that says you can be on the stage playing a violin. We as parents and family and community have to do a better job of saying ‘Hey little Black boy or little Black girl, you can get on stage, you can play the violin, it can be a career.”

The Columbus Cultural Orchestra incorporates hip-hop and other modern music into their classical performances, Spottswood said, and the artists get paid for playing.

Money can be a barrier for young musicians, Spottswood said, and is one of the reasons why there are so few African Americans in U.S. orchestras.  The cost of the instrument, lessons and travel can be more than a family is willing to invest when there are other priorities.

That’s why Spottswood said supporting local artists by going to their shows and watching their streams, along with supporting school music programs, is important and can lead to a child finding their full potential both musically and in life.

“Our children lack confidence,” Spottswood said. “They need confidence, structure, they need to get off the tablets and phones for a little bit and think for themselves. (Music also) helps with academics with math and reading. But also, their ability to exude self-esteem.”