Beginning with Sappho in the 7th century BC, women have been composing music. Although recognition of their efforts and accomplishments was not forthcoming for many years, women have made a noteworthy contribution to the history of Western music.
The Orchestra of St. Luke's is formally acclaiming the role of female composers with a series of three concerts entitled "Notable Women: A Celebration of Women Composers". These events, which were conceived and formulated by Composer-in-Residence Joan Tower, will take place at different venues throughout the first three weekends of June. Featured works by Amy Beach, Rebecca Clarke, Libby Larsen, etc. will be performed by musicians from the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
If you wish to read about female composers, the Library offers Christine Ammer's Unsung: A History of Women in American Music, Adrienne Fried Block's Amy Beach, Passionate Victorian, Julie Anne Sadie's The Norton/Grove Dictionary of Women Composers, and Elizabeth Swados' Listening Out Loud: Becoming a Composer. Compact discs that showcase women's music include Lucille Field Sings Songs by American Women Composers, Bonnie Pomfret's De Toda La Eternidad: Songs of American Women Composers, and the collection Women of Note.