In 2022, a number of conversations among several choral conductors led to the idea that our profession was past due for a publication focused specifically on female choral composers. Many of the existing materials on female composers highlight gender rather than the media for which they compose, and many such materials include primarily instrumental composers. Standard books in the choral profession such as Dennis Schrock’s volumes on choral repertoire tend to favor male composers. Recently, Choral Repertoire (2nd ed, 2022) has been updated with the addition of several female composers and Choral Diversity (2022) includes about 50% female composers, which is a promising sign. The purpose of this interest session is to introduce the audience to a book that focuses only on women composers who write primarily for choral ensembles. In our research, we have identified over 200 such people, spanning several centuries, including historic composers such as Hildegard of Bingen, Barbara Strozzi, Clara Schumann, and Margaret Bonds, in addition to contemporary composers such as Rosephanye Powell, Hyo-Won Woo, B.E. Boykin, and Katerina Gimon. The list of composers evolved from outreach efforts to multiple choral conductors in North America who recommended composers they felt were worthy of inclusion. Although the majority of composers come from North America, there are others from the UK, France, Germany, eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, and Latin America. More than forty authors wrote essays about the composers, including biographical details, compositional output, a list of selected works with title, voicing and instrumentation, duration, and publisher information, as well as references for further study. More than 1000 works for a variety of voicings are included, some for young singers and others for more advanced ensembles with mixed voices. The session comprises a panel of four choral professionals with various roles in the project: compiler, editor, writer and/or composer. We will provide context, and discuss topics like the role of composers who wrote mainly accessible works (what distinguishes this group and how have they contributed to choral education and performance?); the paths composers take to their careers and how they view their role in advancing choral music; the uniqueness of female composers as they speak in their distinct voice. In addition, we will share videos of brief statements by a several composers included in the project who represent various perspectives and genres of composition.
In Her Voice: Spotlighting Female Choral Composers
Hilary Apfelstadt
University of Toronto, Professor Emerita
Hilary Apfelstadt is Professor Emerita of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto. She remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, masterclass presenter, and author. She has served ACDA as interim Executive Director, National President, Central Region President, NC-ACDA President, and has received leadership awards from both ACDA and also Choirs Ontario. She has taught public school, community, and church choirs and was a faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the Ohio State University. Her ensembles have performed at conferences of ACDA and Choral Canada. She curates a choral series by Canadian composers for Hinshaw Music.
Alan Davis
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Alan Davis is completing the D.M.A. degree in choral conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in May 2024. He holds an M.M. in choral conducting from California State University-Los Angeles, an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Portland State University, and a B.M.A. degree in music from Pacific Lutheran University. He has taught in public high schools in Oregon, Colorado, and California, and directed church and community ensembles. His research interests include choral intonation, vocal pedagogy in the choral rehearsal, and choral repertoire by women composers. He has presented interest sessions at music educator conferences in South Dakota, Iowa, and California.
Lynne Gackle
Baylor University
Lynne Gackle is Professor Emerita at Baylor University where she served as the Director of Choral Activities and Ensemble Division Chair. An active choral clinician/conductor nationally, she has held several positions within ACDA, including National President, Southern Region President, President Florida-ACDA, and TCDA VP-College/Community Choirs. Internationally recognized for her research on the female adolescent voice, Lynne is the author of Finding Ophelia’s Voice, Opening Ophelia’s Heart. She is a contributing author for other books published by GIA, Oxford, and Hal Leonard/McGraw-Hill. Gackle serves on the Editorial Board of Walton Music and editor for the Lynne Gackle Choral Series (Colla Voce).
Mari Esabel Valverde
Award-winning composer Mari Esabel Valverde has been commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association, Boston Choral Ensemble, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Portland’s Resonance Ensemble, Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses, and the Texas Music Educators Association. Following six years as a high school classical voice instructor, she spent two years specializing in transgender voice training. A native of North Texas, she holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is a member of ASCAP and the American Choral Directors Association.
