WOMEN COMPOSERS
Vira + Friends is deeply committed to an International Women Composers Project that explores and presents the works of women composers past and present. Carefully curated programs celebrate the diverse output of female composers of the past who have been overlooked and under programmed because of their gender, and the works of innovative female composers of the present. Songs are selected both for their beauty and also for their power to transport listeners.
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See below for a word from Vira, a sample program and portraits and bios of the featured composers.
Want to get involved? Email hello@viraandfriends.org. We are actively seeking partners!
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A WORD FROM VIRA...
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In February 2019, Vira + Friends presented Vira + Friends Sing Songs by Women Composers. Pianist David Sytkowski and singers Kirsten Arnold, Vira Slywotzky and Bray Wilkins performed music by Amy Beach (1867-1944), Zina Goldrich, Poldowski (1879-1932), Jeanine Tesori, Sheila Silver, Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) and Joelle Wallach. The endeavor was a hit. Winter 2020 found a whole new crew of artists gearing up to perform works by a whole new crew of composers for Vira + Friends Sing Songs by Women Composers II, in anticipation that Vira + Friends Sing Songs by Women Composers would become an annual event. Like many undertakings of early 2020, the project was waylaid.
In April 2022 I received an email titled “Woman composer from Paris :-).” My correspondent was Sylvia Filus, brilliant and beautiful Polish and French film and concert composer. As Sylvia and I became acquainted, via email and then in person, we learned that we share a passion for furthering the reach of women composers and for building community through their music. We are committed to presenting performances of works by women composers and sharing their stories. We formally launched our project with a concert in Paris in June 2024, featuring myself and Albanian French pianist Zheni Meria performing works by American, French, Polish and Ukrainian women.
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I am phenomenally excited to continue discovering the written works of women composers and collaborating with women composers on new works. I’m grateful to our audiences who listen with care and respond so thoughtfully and to the individuals and organizations who are joining our team and our movement.
