Back to the Concert Hall
September News from Women's Philharmonic Advocacy
In much of the country summer has officially wrapped as school begins and concerts move from outdoor spaces back into concert halls. As students are once again welcomed into classroom, studios, and concert halls, we have some suggestions for resources to help make your teaching spaces more inclusive.
Music By Women has fantastic resources for students of all ages, including a searchable database of examples of musical concepts - from triplets to Augmented 6ths! I am also a big fan of their poster series of women composers, which is a great addition to any studio or classroom wall.
Musicologist, performer, and educator Dr. Paula Maust is also working to expand the musical canon in terms of not just performance but classroom materials. Expanding the Music Theory Canon is a thorough resource highlighting the work of women and BIPOC composers. Her new anthology published by SUNY Press is a must-have in the libraries of everyone who is working toward equity in classical music.
Music by Black Composers is a tremendous resource centering the work of people from Africa and the African diaspora. Spearheaded by Rachel Barton Pine, the website includes resources for everyone, including a coloring book featuring 40 Black composers!
The folks at the Boulanger Initiative offer lots of resources, including curriculum guides and suggestions on how to get started in creating a more equitable studio or classroom space.
The Institute for Composer Diversity has been working over several years to create a searchable database of composers and pieces, helping artists and educators find pieces that meet the skill level, time period, and ensemble needs.
We at Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy also have many scores available in our Publications, and are always happy to help with a research question or search for just the right work to complete a program. Our Amy Beach publications include chamber and keyboard works as well as vocal and orchestral music.
From The Blog
We remembered the work of The Women’s Philharmonic, the ensemble based in San Francisco whose mission and legacy Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy continues today as we continue to celebrate women composers.
The Women’s Philharmonic was honored in 1998 by the city supervisors of San Francisco, highlighting the importance of the work being done to remember and celebrate the work of women composers.
September Concerts & Events
The National Symphony Orchestra will begin their season on September 14 with a concert titled Echos of America, featuring works by Carlos Simon, Aaron Copland, and Jessie Montgomery. On September 28, the official opening night, the National Symphony will include works by Mel Bonis - specifically her Pavane, Sarabande, and Bourée.
The Seattle Symphony will perform Fractal Isles by Angélica Negrón on their opening night concert September 14. In addition, Kaija Saariaho’s Ciel d’hiver will be performed on September 26, 28, and 29, conducted by Tianyi Lu.
The New York Philharmonic will present the world premiere of a new work by Augusta Read Thomas Thursday September 19 with a repeat performance on Saturday September 21. The work, titled Bebop Kaleidoscope - Homage to Duke Ellington. The work is a New York Philharmonic commission.
The Minnesota Orchestra will open their season with a performance of Andrea Tarrodi’s Liguria on September 20 and 21.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of a new work by Tania León, Time to Time on Thursday, September 26 with repeat performances on Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th, The work is a BSO co-commission.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is beginning their season with Joan Tower’s Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 6, programmed as the first piece in their opening event on September 26, and repeated on September 27.
The Utah Symphony will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a concert featuring Hispanic composers, including Gabriela Ortiz. Her Kauyumari will be performed on September 26.
Sept. 26, 28, and 29, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony (east MD and DE) will perform Alice Mary Smith’s Symphony in A Minor; composed in 1876, it was never performed in her lifetime. (Additional info here)
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will include Dobrinka Tabakova’s Orpheus’ Comet in their concerts on September 27 - 29. The following weekend, October 4 and 5, the ensemble will open their concert with Clarice Assad’s Nhanderú.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will perform Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3 on October 4 and 5. The concert also includes Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which will make it a fantastic, and noteworthy, concert of all-American composers.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform Gabriela Ortiz’s Dzonot on October 3 and 4. Do take the time to read the program notes for this work, a newly composed concerto for cello and orchestra inspired by the cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula!
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will include Gabriela Lena Frank’s Concertino Cusqueño on October 4 and 6.
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