February 2005

Women in Music Day

On Wednesday 16 February 2005, Women in Music held a symposium at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. The thought-provoking discussion, entitled "Women in Cross-Cultural Music - what difference does gender make in the 21st Century?" was enjoyed by audience and panellists alike.

Panel members:
Diana Harris - Researcher: Muslims, music and education. (Open University)
Sally Gross - Manager Gotan Project, combining tango and Jamaican dub music. Cultural industries advocate.
Yemisi Mokuolu - Director, "Out of Africa" - club night providing a platform for up-coming Urban African rappers, MCs, DJs and vocalists.
Swati Natekar - Indian singer whose Ghazal recitals are highly appreciated by audiences both in India and overseas.
Debbie Golt - Promoter, manager and dj, Women in Music board member, chairing panel
Yumi Hara Cawkwell - Composer, performer, researcher, experimental dj. Claire Whitaker - Director, Serious, the UK's leading jazz and world music promoters.
Netsayi Chigwendere - Mbira/jazz singer/songwriter, Women in Music award winner.
Razia Sultanova (pictured above, far right, playing her Dutar). Research fellow at SOAS, currently editing a volume of Cahiers de Musiques Traditionelles on women in music.

Cheng Yu and her 5-stringed pipa - a concert of cross cultural music creation.

In the evening of the same day (16 Feb 2005) a concert was held by renowned pipa player Cheng Yu, (also at SOAS). The concert marked the first public appearance of her newly constructed 5-stringed pipa, as well as premieres of pieces written especially for the new instrument, by Gyewon Byeon, Gillian Carcas and Xu Yi. (Commissioned by Cheng Yu using her award from Women in Music.) The concert was very well attended, and enjoyed by all.

Woman's Hour

To promote the SOAS symposium, panellist and Women in Music award winner Netsayi Chigwendere appeared on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour on Saturday 12 February 2005. Martha Kearny interviewed Netsayi, whose new single "Tatters" is receiving plays on BBC Radio 1. (Click here to go to the Woman's Hour "listen again" page, and hear the recording).

British Composer Awards

Good news from the British Composer Awards. These are the Awards started last year (by mover and shaker, Sarah Rodgers), given by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters supported by Radio 3 and PRS, for best compositions in classical music during the year. This is the 2nd year of the Awards.

Of the 11 categories, 3 were won by women composers. Two of these were for the same composer: Judith Bingham, who won for the categories "Choral" and "Liturgical Music". The "Vocal" category was won by Judith Weir.

Judith Bingham has also won the pretigious Barlow Prize in USA this year. This is an $11.000 commission for a new a cappella choir piece to be performed by a consortium of choirs including the BBC Singers, VocalEssence and the University of Utah Singers. Judith Bingham told our reporter Jenny Fowler she was amazed, as she has never won anything before!

June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004

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