Inspiration, Discovery, and Resources for Women Composers
by R. Rojas
Updated: 10/27/24
Editor's note: We started off wanting to share five resources, but we went down a rabbit hole finding more resourceful information. We hope you will enjoy.
Here at the Christmas Carols Blog, keeping you informed of
what is new in the classical, sacred, and choral Christmas world is our job. We
cannot but notice the number of women composers producing so many new carols
and other Christmas and winter works.
Here are sixteen resources for women composers looking for
inspiration, education, and support, but it is also a good place for choirs to learn about
women composers, both of the past and contemporary, and explore their Christmas
and seasonal compositions.
Multitude of Voyces is a UK nonprofit whose goals are to promote: 1. "the advancement of education in the area of arts, culture and heritage by the increase of individual and collective knowledge and understanding of musical creativity, musical history and related matters; 2. the advancement of arts culture and heritage by promoting music and performance by and with those from underrepresented and marginalised groups."
The Compose Like A Girl Choral Series "seeks to empower composers who identify as women through mentorship, editorial direction, publication, and promotion. Compose Like A Girl titles are selected by Jocelyn Hagen, published through JH Music, and distributed by Graphite Publishing. Composers in the series receive a 50% royalty on the sale of each copy."
Amplify Female Composers "...is a new platform created by Carolyn Craig and Janet Yieh that seeks to encourage the performance of sacred music by women composers and arrangers. Our hope is to expand the rich repertoire of music in liturgical music programs, and to send this excellent music out into the world as a helpful resource for all church musicians and music lovers alike."
Their Advent Calander Project
The Advent Calendar Project presented this collaborative initiative that lets listeners listen to daily video broadcasts of Advent and Christmas choral music by female composers and arrangers, sung by participating parish, cathedral and university choirs from the US and UK.
Their YouTube Chanel is at: https://www.youtube.com/@AmplifyFemaleComposers/videos
They have put out three volumes of sacred works by women composers and the organization has a heavy presence on Youtube and Facebook. They have engaged on a project on Elizabeth Poston, and outside of their three volumes, they have other scores available from women composers. Aside from that, they engage in local community projects. They were recently made the official representative of the musical and literary estate of
Elizabeth Poston and the owner of her available copyright, of which I am very excited.
Like all nonprofits, existence continues and depends on your support: DONATE HERE.
Facebook: @multitudeofvoyces.co.uk
Soundcload: https://soundcloud.com/user-156300374
2. Compose Like A Girl
The Compose Like a Girl Podcast has interviewed such luminaries as Rosephanye Powell, Reena Esmail, and Cecilia McDowall. Composer Jocelyn Hagen is the host of the podcast and also edits its choral series describe below.
Regarding mentorship: Hagan offers mentorship "...for women at all stages in their compositional journey. Composers sign up for 30-minute zoom sessions during her designated “office hours.” These sessions provide composition lessons, engraving feedback, publishing and general career advice for composers of all ages. Contact Jocelyn if you’re interested in receiving mentorship."
Also see their YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@composelikeagirl
Facebook: @composelikeagirl
Instagram: @composelikeagirl
3. ComposHer
Created in 2018, ComposHer is a platform a platform dedicated to women in classical music. Previously just an online presence led by French violinist Clara Leonardi, ComposHer has "... renew(ed) itself and restructure(d). In recent years, this site has been an online medium, nourished by many volunteers. From now on, it will be a resource centre dedicated to composers, designed in two poles: the editing and provision of scores of compositions, and the creation of resources relating to the composers and their repertoire."
ComposHer pushes playlists by women composers and pushing scores by woman composers. Most recent they, with the Hensel Pushers, are pushing scores by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.
"In 1986 business woman, Renate Matthei, from Kassel in Germany founded a music publishing house which was dedicated exclusively to music and books written by and about women from various centuries... Today Furore is still the only music publisher of its kind, publishing in the region of 2.000 compositions from various epochs by approximately 170 women from Europe, America, Asia and Australia." Furore's website is at: https://furore-verlag.de/en/start/. About Furore.
A group for those who would like to discover and enjoy music by women composers of the classical genre as well as share information regarding their life and work - from Ancient/Medieval to Contemporary.
You can support Compose Like a Girl through their Patreon.
ComposHer pushes playlists by women composers and pushing scores by woman composers. Most recent they, with the Hensel Pushers, are pushing scores by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.
ComposHer is on Facebook @ComposHER and their website is at ComposHer. Their Instagram is @officialcomposher .
4. Furore
6. Amplify Female Composes
Their Advent Calander Project
The Advent Calendar Project presented this collaborative initiative that lets listeners listen to daily video broadcasts of Advent and Christmas choral music by female composers and arrangers, sung by participating parish, cathedral and university choirs from the US and UK.
Their YouTube Chanel is at: https://www.youtube.com/@AmplifyFemaleComposers/videos
Facebook: @amplifyfemalecomposers
To learn more and find musical resources visit: https://www.amplifyfemalecomposers.org. You can also like and share our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/amplifyfemalecomposers/
7. Hildegard Publishing Company
Hildegard Publishing Company's "...mission is to seek out and publish compositions by women composers which display the highest level of excellence and musical merit. Because works by women composers have been historically overlooked and undervalued, our hope is to make these gems more widely available for concert performance. Our publishing mission reaches to all centuries including the present day and extends to a wide range of musical forms and genres."
10. Book: Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond
In the May 12, 2024, episode Singing in Pregnancy, Choral Chihuahua Podcast interviews Dr Jenevora Williams and Charlotte Mobbs "...about how physical and mental changes affect singing, with contributions from several female colleagues."
12. Kassian Choral Series
The Kassian Choral Series on Banks Music Publications, is a choral series "...highlighting the writing of women composers. This series will include original compositions and arrangements and will cover different genres and styles and different voicings - some will be accompanied and others will be a cappella."
Furthered, "The series is named after Kassia (also known as Kassiani) who was a ninth-century abbess, poet, composer and hymnographer, born in Constantinople around 810 AD. She was born into a wealthy family and grew to be very intelligent and beautiful. Kassia is notable for writing in her own name and is one of the earliest medieval female composers whose music has survived to the present day. Around 50 of her hymns exist, along with a wealth of verse and epigrams. The most famous of her compositions is the eponymous Hymn of Kassia."
13. Voices Found: Women in the Church's Song
Voices Found: Women in the Church's Song is "... written in congregational hymn style and is intended for normal parish use. Some music is arranged for women's voices and is useful for women's groups or small choirs of treble voices. The book is a unique compilation of contemporary and historical materials that crosses boundaries of geography, time, and culture as it represents the diversity of the gifts of women and seeks to affirm and expand the spirituality of all women and men as they find new voice s in the church's song."
"The Boulanger Initiative advocates for women and all gender-marginalized composers. We foster inclusivity and representation to expand and enrich the collective understanding of what music is, has been, and can be. We promote music composed by women through performance, education, research, consulting, and commissions." The initiative runs the Women Composers and Gender-Marginalized Composers Repertoire Database. Its Redefining the Canon Initiative "... is an unprecedented initiative
which aims to update the most widely-used orchestral audition excerpts
to include excerpts by historically underrepresented composers."
To learn more and find musical resources visit: https://www.amplifyfemalecomposers.org. You can also like and share our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/amplifyfemalecomposers/
Hildegard Publishing Company's "...mission is to seek out and publish compositions by women composers which display the highest level of excellence and musical merit. Because works by women composers have been historically overlooked and undervalued, our hope is to make these gems more widely available for concert performance. Our publishing mission reaches to all centuries including the present day and extends to a wide range of musical forms and genres."
HPC also offers various guides for various instruments and a guide for vocal and a guide for chamber music. It even has a guide on Black women composers and a Hildegard von Bingen Resource Page.
8. Sarah McDonald Choral Series - Music for the Church [by women]
Sarah McDonald Choral Series is a collection of anthems and hymn and more by women on Selah Publishing Co.
9. Cathedrals, Chapels, Organs, Choirs: A personal view by Sarah MacDonald
Cathedrals, Chapels, Organs, Choirs: A personal view is a book off August Press LLC. Publisher's description: "Millions of people love the music of the cathedrals, chapels, organs and choirs of English church music—and the musicians who emerge from that world onto the broader stage. Sarah MacDonald, from her unique perspective as Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge and Director of Girl Choristers at Ely Cathedral shares how this music is created and how its performers are nurtured. She writes with a gentle sense of humor and deep love for the institutions and people she serves—young children, movie stars, students, scholars, choral singers, composers—and so many more. This is a book for all those who make this music, love this music, and for those who love them."
' (T)his book is both a perfect opportunity to dispel myths and
open up, to everyone, a form of music-making often shrouded in secrecy.
I recommend it wholeheartedly.'
-Paul Mealor, Composer
'(Sarah) has demonstrated her potential to train first-rate choirs and organists
with much success, enabling her to tackle a large, varied and complex variety
of music. All of these challenges have required her to be an inspirational
teacher, and I can testify that this is how so many of her students and choristers
regard her. I salute her and thank her for somehow finding the time
devise this collection which I thoroughly commend'
-Paul Trepte, Director of Music
Ely Cathedral 1992-2019
Forward is by John Rutter.
Co-authored by Nancy Bos, Cate Frazier-Neely, and Joanne Bozman, 2020.
Publisher's Description: Singing Through Change is a must read for anyone who is a singer, voice teacher, singing specialist, or medical professional. What an incredible resource for all those involved with voice in any way. As a practicing Otolaryngologist I regret not having information such as this early on in my practice. ... I appreciate women more than I ever have after reading this book, not just pertaining to voice, but to the obstacles in all aspects of life. Perhaps this should be a must read for all men.Dr. Curt R Stock Otolaryngologist, NCVS trained Vocologist.
Also see: The Choral Chihuahua Podcast "Singing and the menopause." December 3, 2023.
In the May 12, 2024, episode Singing in Pregnancy, Choral Chihuahua Podcast interviews Dr Jenevora Williams and Charlotte Mobbs "...about how physical and mental changes affect singing, with contributions from several female colleagues."
The Kassian Choral Series on Banks Music Publications, is a choral series "...highlighting the writing of women composers. This series will include original compositions and arrangements and will cover different genres and styles and different voicings - some will be accompanied and others will be a cappella."
Furthered, "The series is named after Kassia (also known as Kassiani) who was a ninth-century abbess, poet, composer and hymnographer, born in Constantinople around 810 AD. She was born into a wealthy family and grew to be very intelligent and beautiful. Kassia is notable for writing in her own name and is one of the earliest medieval female composers whose music has survived to the present day. Around 50 of her hymns exist, along with a wealth of verse and epigrams. The most famous of her compositions is the eponymous Hymn of Kassia."
14. Boulanger Initiative
For a good review of women who are currently composing carols, see the Christmas Carols Blog annual "New Carols, Premiered Carols, Resurrected Carols, Premiered Christmas Music, and New Commissions" posts. Here are the links from 2023 and 2022.
Also of interest will be our "Carols of" series of Christmas carols and winter works by various composers. Woman composers we have feature are Diana Burrrell, Sarah MacDonald, Judith Weir, Elizabeth Macaonchy, and Amy Beach.
Our continuously updated Working List Choral Collections Focusing on Composer Christmas Works is a working list of entire albums dedicated to one composer's Christmas works. A few years ago, there were none dedicated to female composers. Now there are albums by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange, Sasha Johnson Manning, and Elizabeth Poston. None from a woman from the States or Canada, but were crossing our fingers (e.g., French, Parker, Betinis, Powell, MacDonald, Quartel, Shaw (Carolyn not Robert) Beach to name a few). In fact, Forbes L'Estrage is posting comments on the pieces in her latest recording her Instgram @joforbesmusician.
Post Script, October 27, 2024
One we missed:
17. Illuminate Women's Music
Illuminate Women's Music "...is a project to promote the work of emerging women composers and performers. It also gives a platform for historical repertoire by women composers to sit alongside new works. The project has been set up by Dr Angela Elizabeth Slater in 2017, a freelance composer who is a strong advocate of the promotion of women’s music both past and present. The project continues with the support of fellow composers Blair Boyd and Sarah Westwood."
The project, "Aims of Illuminate touring concert series
To provide opportunities for living women composers to have their work performed, particularly focusing on emerging composers.
To provide a platform for emerging women performersTo promote the enjoyment and appreciation of the womens' music of today and from the past to new audiences across the UK."
Facebook: @illuminatewomensmusic
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