Women Leading the Way in 2020

Throughout our 90th season, we have featured music from American female composers Peggy Stuart Coolidge and Florence Price. As we journey into 2020, we continue to honor women from the past and present.

Fanny Mendelssohn
Composer (1805-1847)

German pianist and composer Fanny Mendelssohn is said to have been as musically talented as her brother, Felix Mendelssohn. During her life, Fanny wrote about 500 musical compositions, including chamber music, cantatas, and about 120 pieces for piano. 

Don't miss "Sibling Revelry" on February 15, featuring Fanny Mendelssohn's String Quartet in E-flat Major.

Joan Tower
Composer

Grammy winner Joan Tower is regarded as one of the most important American composers of today. She has made lasting contributions as a composer, performer, conductor, and educator.

Cayla Bellamy
Bassoonist

Cayla Bellamy currently serves as Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the University of Northern Iowa, where she teaches courses in applied bassoon, chamber music, woodwind literature, and music education. She is also a bassoonist and contra-bassoonist with the wcfsymphony.

March's "Honoring Our Own" will feature American composer Joan Tower's pieces Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman and Red Maple, which will feature bassoonist Cayla Bellamy. 

Jane Goodall
Anthropologist and Primatologist

Through nearly 60 years of groundbreaking work, Dr. Jane Goodall has shown us the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction. In addition, she has redefined species conservation to include the needs of people and the environment.

In April, the wcfsymphony will perform the score to the stunning documentary "Jane." Click here to learn more about the documentary from National Geographic.