LMU Partners With The Recording Academy to Shine Light On Inequalities in The Music Industry

Female members of the Loyola Marymount University Choruses recently participated in the 2020 Grammys’ Underdog Choir, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in the music production industry. Produced by the Recording Academy in conjunction with the recent Grammy Award Ceremony, the video features women from LMU Choruses performing “Underdog” by Alicia Keys, raising awareness that women only make up 2% of the music production profession. Over the course of the video, the singers begin to slowly sit down to symbolize the marginalization of women in the industry. At the end, only a single woman, representing the 2% of female music producers, is left to sing alone.

“I was absolutely delighted that the women from the LMU Choruses were presented with an incredible opportunity to work with the Recording Academy and the Grammys. Opportunities of this nature are rare and speak directly to the talent and ability of the singers within our choral ensembles. Each student was hired as a professional artist, allowing them to experience what it meant to work on a professional studio set, with experts in the field of music production." - T.J. Harper, director of choral activities at LMU.

“The message of the Underdog video is extremely important in today’s world and really hits close to home for me. I think if we are able to help shine a light on the existing industry gender discrepancy in an impactful way, we can help change the narrative and inspire women – including ourselves – to keep doing what they love." - Senior music major Megan Masson. 

The LMU Choruses are open to anyone who wants to audition within and outside of the LMU community, regardless of background or level of experience.

​*Courtesy of LMU CFA.