Monthly Archives: October, 2017

October 15, 2017: Women of Color: Leaders

Published - October 9, 2017

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” – Lena Horne Maestra Xian Zhang says, “conducting is somehow an intimidating job to think about.  It is not only women who don’t go into this.  Not a lot of men think about becoming conductors either.”  On this episode, three women – conductors, artistic directors, educators – who are overcoming both racial and gender bias to succeed in their field.   “Women of Color: Leaders” Detlev Glanert:  Frenesia Xian Zhang, conductor Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra “Horizon 6” RCO 15001 Adriana Hölszky:  Floten des Lichts Kay George Roberts, conductor Renate Brosch,

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October 8, 2017: Taking Their Places

Published - October 2, 2017

“I don’t think I’ve ever been taught something because I’m a girl, nor not taught because I’m a girl.  That’s because of people like Susan [Slaughter].”  – Karin Bliznik, Principal Trumpet, SLSO   Since the 1960s, professional orchestras have become steadily more gender balanced.  Nowadays, there is almost a 50/50 ratio of women to men behind the music stands.  And the technical agility of the ensembles overall has improved, not so much as a result of the increased presence of women, but rather because musicians are being judged on their performance instead of their gender.   “Taking Their Places” Benjamin Britten:  Dies Irae, from

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