Feminist in the Concert Hall
WPA News Digest – May 12, 2025
Exciting news for this week! The Delaware Symphony orchestra has announced the appointment of Michelle Di Russo as its sixth—and first female—music director. The search for a new director began in 2023, and Di Russo will begin leading the orchestra in its 120th...
WPA News Digest – May 5, 2025
Lots of exciting news this week! On May 4th, the Santa Barbara City College presented its women composers concert at the Garvin Theater on the SBCC campus. The program selections were an enviable combination of classic/historical composers and contemporary ones—all...
2025-2026 Conductors Report
As we work through the data collected for our annual Repertoire Report, we also are intentional in collecting information about who is leading these performances and ensembles. The resistance of “top” orchestras to performing with a woman conductor has been well...
WPA News Digest – April 28, 2025
Here's some news to start your week! Composer Karena Ingram (UMBC, 2016) has received a commission from the Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions Program. The Toulmin Commissions Program is under the umbrella of the League of American Orchestras, and partners...
April 28: Premiere of 1911 Suffrage Cantata
By Liane Curtis Music lovers might know the rich body of work – especially her symphonies and chamber music – by Swedish composer Elfrida Andrée (1841-1929). A premiere of an unknown but important work of hers will take place tomorrow at Whitman College in eastern...
WPA News Digest – April 21, 2025
We have a range of exciting news this week! From April 10–13, 2025, the Perth Symphony Orchestra hosted its Women on the Podium initiative, a comprehensive symposium that promotes women's leadership and directorship in music (focusing on but not limited to, building...