–  Hey, I haven’t worn a sandwich-board since the VPO protest of 1999!  A lot of fun!

My sign reads:

BSO, why are women composers excluded?
2011-2012: 70 pieces by 32 composers –

 ALL of them MEN.

Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy
www.wophil.org
Sign our mailing list!

And I handed out a flier (200 of ‘em!).  It’s amazing how some people look right through you when you are trying to hand them something. Others were, of course, full of interest and enthusiasm! I met some very kind people! And I met BSO artistic administrator Tony Fogg, who I had written back when I wrote James Levine and Mark Volpe in 2008 (and several times after that). He said that he had written me back a lengthy reply, but I never received it.  Too bad to have a miscommunication, I will try again … and again …

Here’s a link to the front of the flier in PDF format  (the back was a summary of my letter to the BSO referenced above)

BSO-Do you recognize them

 

 

In this time of strife for orchestral musicians, it is refreshing to remember just how dedicated many have been throughout their careers. Norman Lebrecht posted on his blog a “near-definitive” list of the longest serving orchestral musicians. While it will surely continue to be updated and changed as more information comes forth, it is significant to note that women performers hold the top two positions.

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Today is the 124th birthday of composer, conductor, and educator Nadia Boulanger.

I was actually reminded of this on my morning commute by my local independent radio station, WDIY, who did a birthday tribute to Nadia by playing works of some of her most famous pupils.  I have included here Nadia’s Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra: