The Hill We Climb

LGBTQ+, Band, and Belonging

Robert Taylor, Erik Kar Jun Leung

• Publisher: GIA Publications
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9798896300175
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music Theory & Appreciation

The Hill We Climb deepens the conversation about equity and inclusion started by The Horizon Leans Forward . . . This companion volume centers the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ musicians, artists, and educators in the wind band community, and explores how music can foster belonging and LGBTQ+ visibility across classrooms, ensembles, and institutions. The first half of the book features essays, interviews, and personal narratives authored by LGBTQ+ and ally contributors as they reflect on identity, advocacy, and the role of the conductor-educator in fostering belonging and allyship. The second half presents an annotated bibliography showcasing more than 70 LGBTQ+ composers and 160 of their best works for wind band, Grades I– VI. To support inclusive programming, each entry offers a brief biography of the composer, pertinent publication information, and descriptions of each work. The Hill We Climb is both a resource and a call to action, urging music educators to listen with empathy, lead with courage, and shape a more inclusive and compassionate future for all LGBTQ+ students and musicians.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dedications
• Foreword
• Statement from the Co-Editors
• Introduction
• Creating the Annotated Bibliography of Wind Band Works by LGBTQ+ Composers
• Part I - Pathways Toward Belonging
• Part II - Mavericks in the Pursuit of Visibility and Representation
• Part III - Activating Allyship and Belonging
• Part IV - Annotated Bibliography of Wind Band Works by LGBTQ+ Composers
• Table A - List of Works Sorted by Composer
• Table B - List of Works Sorted by Grade Level
• Acknowledgments
• About the Authors