Championing Women Composers - International Women's Day at St Benedict's
A recital of music by women composers and a Question Time discussion are some of the ways in which St Benedict's is marking International Women's Day on Friday March 8th.
Some of St Benedict's singers have given a recital of music by women composers, inspired by their singing teacher, award-winning soprano Gabriella Di Laccio.
Gabriella champions the music of women composers, many of whom were unrecognised in their lifetimes, their music unacknowledged and ignored. She has been recognised by BBC World for her work in bringing their music to light, and is included in the prestigious BBC 100 Women list of the world's most inspirational and influential women. Gabriella will talk about her research on BBC Radio 3's In Tune on International Women's Day.
The recital's programme spans over 160 years and includes the following pieces:
L'anneau d'argent by Cécile Chaminade (1857–1944)
The Apple Orchard by Lori Laitman (b. 1955)
Down by the Salley Gardens by Rebecca Clarke (1886 - 1979)
Taylor the Latte Boy by Zina Goldrich (b. 1964)
The Rose by Amanda McBrown (b. 1947)
Business Girls by Madeleine Dring (1923 - 1977)
How Could I Ever Know? by Lucy Simon (b. 1943)
I'll Never Love Again by Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey and Aaron Raitiere
Children in the Junior School are also involved and will sing The Lighthouse by Lin March at Assembly.
By raising awareness about the huge inequality that we currently experience when it comes to knowing these women and hearing their music, we hope to help to create a more equal world for future generations.
Gabriella Di Laccio
On International Women’s Day in 2018 Gabriella launched DONNE Women in Music, an online database of more than 5,000 women composers.
“DONNE is my way, as a musician, to share with as many people as possible the fascinating stories of so many neglected women composers”, said Gabriella. “By raising awareness about the huge inequality that we currently experience when it comes to knowing these women and hearing their music, we hope to help to create a more equal world for future generations.”
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY EVENTS
As well as highlighting the music of women composers, St Benedict’s is marking IWD with a series of events:
In Form Time, tutors will show a short film: Big Change - Little Questions.
This will be followed by discussion about the importance of gender balance.
At the beginning of each lesson throughout the day, across all year groups, teachers will spend 5 minutes reading out a short article about inspiring women such as Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst and Michelle Obama.
At lunchtime there will be an IWD Question Time for the Lower 6th, chaired by a student. The panellists are:
Jean O’Brien – former Marketing Director, Conde Nast
Lysbeth Fox - CEO Fox PR
Matt Pye - Founder of Procreate London (International Advertising agency)
David Howe – Human Rights Lawyer
Julie Pierce - former Goldman Sachs