As a key initiative of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) newly announced strategic plan, a new Women in Classical Music program will begin soon. The program is intended to create dialogue about and opportunities for female musicians at all stages in their careers. The purpose of the program is to elevate the role of women in classical music and increase female representation in the field.
The program details, as announced on the DSO wesbite, include:
- A ten-year program to commission 20 new works for the orchestra. This commissioning project will yield at least ten new works by female composers.
- Appointment of a female Principal Guest Conductor. A search committee has been formed to identify a conductor for a two-year position that would lead the DSO for four weeks per season.
- Formation of Composer-in-Residence position – This position will focus on creating works specifically for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and work closely with the Music Director and with the Principal Guest Conductor on planning and performance.
- Women in Classical Music Symposium in 2019 – This intensive and comprehensive symposium will cover women’s issues in all areas of classical music including orchestra members, soloists, composers and conductors. It will also address current issues of women in the workplace including #metoo as well as connect people for mentorship opportunities.
- Creation of a Career Advancement Award – Annual/bi-annual award to a person who has demonstrated strong leadership and is advancing to the next level.
Find out more here.
About the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents the finest in orchestral music at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, regarded as one of the world’s premier concert halls. As the largest performing arts organization in the Southwest, the DSO is committed to inspiring the broadest possible audience with distinctive classical programs, inventive pops concerts and innovative multi-media presentations. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the orchestra reaches more than 230,000 adults and children through performances, educational programs and community outreach initiatives. The DSO’s involvement with the City of Dallas and the surrounding region includes award-winning multi-faceted educational program, community projects, popular parks concerts and youth programming. The DSO has a tradition dating back to 1900, and it is a cornerstone of the unique, 68-acre Arts District in downtown Dallas that is home to multiple performing arts venues, museums and parks, the largest district of its kind in the nation. The DSO is supported, in part, by funds from the Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Dallas. Find out more on the organization’s website.
