If you looked at the listings of the major orchestras in America in 2018 you would have found that very few of them were programming pieces by women composers, and almost none had a woman on the podium. Orchestras, including our own Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra recognized this and as of 2019, the picture has begun to change. The RPO's 2019-2020 season features women composers, conductors and guest artists scattered throughout the season, including violinist Leila Josefowicz and guest conductor and recent Grammy Award winner JoAnn Falletta taking the podium. The world of classical music has been which for centuries has been a man’s world is beginning to see change.
Classical 91.5 is proud to be part of that change by celebrating the accomplishments of women composers, conductors and musicians throughout the month of March.
In 2025 WXXI Classical added a special feature, Distinguished Rebels, produced by American public media that shares the stories of women who have changed the face of classical music. These stories will air throughout the month on WXXI Classical 91.5 and can be heard on demand at Your Classical.
