By Lily Gannon, Staff Writer
The 200th birthday of prominent female composer Clara Schuman along with other women composers were celebrated during the music department’s three day women in music festival from Sept. 10-13.
The festival also celebrated the upcoming 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment.
According to Naomi Niskala, associate professor of music, the intention of the festival was “to celebrate female composers, and in turn female performers, and empower our female music students.”
Niskala said that Schumann was important to the festival because she is an example of how talented female composers are often underrepresented.
“Clara was one of the leading and most respected European concert pianists of her time,” Niskala said.
She added that Schumann “was the ‘go to’ pianist for works by her contemporaries – Brahms, Chopin, and her husband Robert Schumann.”
Many of Schumann’s works were ignored until recently when they were rediscovered to be performed and recorded.
The first installment of the three-part concert series took place on Sept. 10. Students and faculty were invited to attend the “Crafting a New Normal for Women in Music,” by Beth Willer, professor of music at Bucknell University and founder and artistic director of Boston’s Lorelei Ensemble.
Willer discussed how we can begin to carve out a new and expansive space for women to be the most important creators of our time. Willer discussed how the role of women in music has been limited for centuries.
Junior Emily Hendershot and seniors Briana Heinly and Ali Hordeski performed individual pieces.
Hendershot performed “Le Memure” by Maria Szymanowska on the piano.
Heinly and Hordeski performed duet “Blue Piece” by Libby Larsen. Heinly played violin while Hordeski was on the piano.
“Briana and I communicated well and enjoyed ourselves, which is always important,” Hordeski said. “It was really nice sharing the recital with our talented faculty members.”
Each night of the festival featured a performance of one of Schumann’s works to commemorate her life and work.
On Sept. 10, a piano trio featuring Matheus Sardinha Garcia Souza, Ar-Lin Bardin, and Niskala performed a piece by Clara Schumann in G minor. There was also a mix of performances by faculty, guest artists and student performers.
Along with the performances, there were two other guest speakers aside from Willer, featuring Lidia Chang and Melissa Dunphy.
According to associate professor of music Jennifer Sacher Wiley, Dunphy “will be composing a piece for our choir to premiere in November and she’ll be in residence to kick off that commission and meet with our composition students.”
Wiley said that the works Dunphy presented were commissioned by the Susquehanna music department through SU’s women in leadership fund.
Willer, Chang and Dunphy were also able to speak about their personal experiences as female composers and musicians. Those involved in the festival were hopeful that the festival was a positive and educational experience to those who decide to attend.
“We’re hoping people discover[ed] the breadth and variety of women’s compositions through the eras,” Wiley stated.
Other music department events coming up this semester are the University band, orchestra, and choir concerts. Various visiting guest artists include Alli Villines, Andrea Cheeseman and Rex Richardson.
The second installment on Sept. 12 featured a vocal music concert that included Susquehanna University students and faculty. The third installment, which will take place on Sept. 13 in Stretansky Concert Hall, will feature an instrumental and choral music concert with various Susquehanna students.
Dunphy will also be featured as a guest composer during the concert.