|
Woman Composer Sunday
On Sunday, March 9, the American Guild of Organists will join colleagues around the world to celebrate Woman Composer Sunday. International Women’s Day is March 8. Historically, composers of superior talent have been pushed into the background, many times ignored by their contemporaries, and, sadly, even totally lost to the musical world for one reason—they happened to be women. How much richer our repertoire would be if those individuals had been nurtured and celebrated to the degree that a Bach, Beethoven, or Brahms were.
To mention a few examples—Hildegard of Bingen (c1098-1179) one of the very first known composers in the world and also a writer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, and medical practitioner; Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) vocal music composer from the Venetian school; Marianna Martinez (1744-1812) also Venetian who played duets with Mozart and composed choral music; and Mozart’s sister Maria Anna (1751-1829) who struggled at home to help make her brother’s career. She composed many pieces which have not survived. Even some of the better known female composers such as Clara Schumann had a difficult time juggling parenting large families and finding time for their art.
Perhaps I mentioned a name or two that you might not have heard of. I would like you to contemplate the factors that contributed to their relative obscurity. In our work for justice, if we do not try to dismantle the systems that stymy the contributions to humanity that such talented people can make to the world because of their gender, skin color, country of origin, or other bigotry, then think of what we are denying not only them but to all of us and all that is good in this world.
The AGO has a working group called the Task Force on Gender Equity whose charge is to advocate for female organists, bring more women into the Guild, inspire a new generation of young female organists, and build equal representation at all levels in the AGO. For the past two years they have collaborated with the UK-based Society of Women Organists to celebrate this day dedicated to bringing to light and performing, either in the context of concerts or worship services, wonderful works composed by women.
With generous funding by donors to the AGO, a composition competition was held. Some of the prize-winning pieces will be played during the preludes this Sunday. In addition, the choir will sing Elaine Hagenberg’s stunningly beautiful and meaningful anthem, You Do Not Walk Alone. Two of the hymns we will sing have texts by female hymn writers.
Let’s hear it for the women!
Peace and Justice for All, D. H.
Opening Hymn: I Want to Walk As a Child of God Words and music by Kathleen Thomeson, 1966.
The Middle Hymn: How Great Thou Art a Swedish Folk Melody 1886. Tr. Stuart Hine, 1949.
The Anthem: You Do Not Walk Alone by Elaine Hagenberg.
The Communion Anthem: Lamb of God a German Choral, 1540 arranged by F. Melius Christiansen.
The Closing Hymn: O for a World by Rosa Martha Zarate Macias.
| 
