Classical Music

Women in Classical Music

If you look at the listings of the major orchestras in America you will see two things in common; very few of them are programming major pieces by women composers, and almost none have a woman on the podium. Despite the abundance of wonderful compositions by women, the world of classical music has been, for centuries, a man’s world.

Jeanne Lamon, Early Music's finest

Classical 91.5 WXXO-FM | By Ruth Phinney

Published February 16, 2018 at 3:20 PM EST

Music Director Jeanne Lamon & 1981 portrait

Although Jeanne Lamon made her name as the Music Director of Canada’s TafelmusikBaroque Orchestra, she was born and raised in New York State. After studies at Brandeis University and in the Netherlands, she returned stateside to teach at Smith College. It was after two guest appearances with Tafelmusik that Lamon landed the Music Director position. Thirty-three years later, she stepped down, leaving an orchestra with a reputation as one of the finest in the early music field.

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State’s Christie Black speaks with Lamon about “The Galileo Project” and her career. Listen here.

This post is part WXXI Classical 91.5’s celebration of Women’s History Month. For more of these stories and other resources, check out Celebrating the Contributions of Women to Classical Music.