Press Release re. Performance Grants 2016

Press Release re. Performance Grants Spring 2017

Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy (WPA) is happy to announce our Spring 2017 Performance Grants, with awards of $500 to $1000 available to all U.S. orchestras.  The deadline is March 10, and the application form is available here.  Decisions will be announced March 31.  The goal of these grants is to influence future programming; thus funding awarded in the Spring 2017 cycle must be utilized for performances from June 1, 2017 to Aug. 31, 2019 — the idea being to allow (and encourage) planning  two seasons ahead (even for summer festivals).

Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy is a non-profit organization founded to continue the legacy of The Women’s Philharmonic (1980-2004).  Committed to honoring and advocating for the work of historic and contemporary women composers, our Performance Grants are central to our mission.  We promote the performance of unjustly neglected music and encourage orchestras to engage in adventurous and inclusive programming beyond the usual masterpieces.

Recognizing that new or unusual repertoire often means additional costs, WPA established our Performance Grants (in 2012) to help overcome this obstacle to performing works by women.  Since the grants were first established, WPA has helped nearly 60 different American orchestras (community, youth, and professional).

All U.S. orchestras of all sizes and types are eligible to receive funding.  We suggest (but do not require) that applicants plan to perform more than one work by a woman, and include at least one historic work.  Repertoire suggestions are here, including links to music publishers and recordings.

This year, we are starting to offer our Grants twice a year.  The Fall 2017 Grant cycle will be approximately:

  • Aug. 7: Application form available.
  • October 20 (Friday), at 11:59 PM EDT: Completed application must be submitted online.
  • Nov. 20 (Mon.): Applicants receive notification of their status.
  • Checks are mailed to successful applicants within two weeks.
  • Grants awarded in the Fall 2017 Grant Cycle are for programming that will take place in the calendar years of 2018 or 2019.

We hope that this will accommodate the planning processes of more ensembles.

As orchestras strive to invigorate audiences and reinforce the continued relevance and value of the symphony orchestra, WPA hopes to help ensembles broaden their programming and present concerts more reflective of the rich and diverse history of classical music.  There are countless underperformed musical treasures deserving to be heard in concert halls.

Find more information and the online application at www.wophil.org/grants.  Contact [email protected] with any questions you may have.  We look forward to receiving your application and we wish your orchestra great success in making future discoveries!

In addition to our performance grants, we have another great piece of news!  WPA has launched a music publishing project: Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy Publications will help make more music accessible and available through carefully edited and affordable orchestral scores and parts.  On our website (under the “Repertoire” link) we are offering performance materials by composers including Amy Beach, Marion Bauer, Rebecca Clarke, and Elfrida Andrée.  In honor of Amy Beach’s 150th anniversary year (2017), we are especially proud to offer our new edition of her Symphony in E minor, Op. 32, “Gaelic” (1896),  newly edited and engraved by our Director of Music Publications, Chris A. Trotman, and also her charming waltz “Bal Masqué.”