Filed under: women's history month. March is Women’s History
Month in the United States and the UK. While there has certainly
been an increase in programming in schools and community events
to celebrate the lives and work of historical and contemporary
women, those women who identify themselves as musicians and
composers continue to fight for a place on the list. Though
there may be a few concerts here and there dedicated to women’s
role in music throughout the month of March, the works heard are
likely written by a woman who is related, either by blood or
marriage, to another famous composer. (Think Clara Schumann and
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.) Though there are certainly exceptions
to the rule – WCPE, The Classical Station, is featuring numerous
compositions by women this month, and the Smithsonian, which
always takes an active role in recognizing Women’s History
Month, features women’s role in music in their Folkways series.
Though Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy celebrates women’s history
every month, I woul