March 8 is International Women’s Day – and one of the few days of the year that those of us who seek out music by women composers have an abundance of choice. Listen in to the different offerings that we have found:
Renowned scholar and pianist Dr. Samantha Ege, pictured above, will present a lecture recital on the legacies of Black women composers in Chicago, including the music of Florence Price, Nora Douglas Holt, Margaret Bond, and Betty Jackson King. The event is a presentation of Lincoln College, Oxford and TORCH and will take place at the TORCH YouTube Channel at 5pm GMT – Noon EST (March 8).
Ruth Gipps – A Centennial Symposium takes place 5:45pm GMT — 12:45 pm EST (March 8) includes a performance of three of the composer’s short pieces and a panel discussion.
St John’s Smith Square in London will present a concert of works by British women 8pm GMT – 3pm EST. The event is free with donations appreciated. The program will include works by Rebecca Clarke, Judith Weir, Helen Grime, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Thea Musgrave, Ruth Gipps, Grace Williams, and a world premiere by Errollyn Wallen. If you miss the March 8 livestreamed premiere, you can watch the archived recording until April 8.
WQXR, the classical station out of NYC, is presenting a 24 hour marathon of works by women composers. On March 8 they plan to play 160 individual pieces by 120 different composers. Learn more and listen live here.
As in years past, BBC Radio 3 is featuring a range of programming throughout the month of March for Women’s History Month, as well as in particular for International Women’s Day. See more information and links on their webpage for featured composers, conversations, recordings, and archival recordings. BBC Radio 3 will also be featuring 24 hours of works by women composers throughout the day.
Listen in to the United Nations Chamber Music Society virtual concert celebrating works by women composers on March 8 – though they are keeping us in suspense as to whose works will be performed!
Composer/violinist Jessie Montgomery talks with violinist Benjamin Beilman about her Duo for Violin & Cello. Beilman performs the piece with cellist Nicholas Canellakis in a pre-recorded performance for Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Taking place 6:30pm Eastern time, (March 8). Tickets (free – but registration required) available here.
Another concert of piano music by women composers can be heard by Michael Lu, founder of Classical Music for a Better World. The program will include works by Juliane Reichardt, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Jennifer Higdon, Florence Price, and Teresa Carreño. The concert will be livestreamed on YouTube, March 8, 8 pm EST and available until April 8.
And this is just a taste of the large and small celebrations that are taking place nationally and internationally! Can you imagine what our world would look like if this kind of programming was available throughout the year?