Women in Classical Music Symposium
We can’t wait to welcome you to the sixth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium November 3-6, 2024! Join us as we bring together administrators, educators, composers, musicians and conductors from around the world to gather in meaningful conversations, panels and discussions alike. Tickets to this year’s symposium will go on sale early this summer. Join our mailing list below to receive the latest updates.
Symposium Highlights
Panels
Programming at this year’s Symposium will focus on a range of topics such as the implementation of AI in music; how industry leaders are programming concerts with the future in mind; exploration of the music of indigenous peoples; and how classical music can challenge genre boundaries and promote diversification.
Peer Engagement
Our ever-popular coffee hour chats and panel-led group dinners are back this year. Individuals from all backgrounds in the arts have the opportunity to meet and mingle with industry professionals in these casual group settings.
Performances
The Symposium kicks off with a thrilling concert with esteemed conductor Anu Tali who will lead the DSO in performances of contemporary Estonian composer Alisson Kruususmaa’s “Five Arabesques” and Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto, with Bravo! Vail’s Artistic Director Anne-Marie McDermott taking center stage.
This concert is presented by Chanel, the Presenting Sponsor of the 2024 Women in Classical Music Concert Series.
Full Schedule Details Coming Soon
2024 Award Recipients
JoAnn Falletta
Award of Excellence Recipient
The central presentation at each Women in Classical Music Symposium is the Award of Excellence, which recognizes a woman in the field who has paved the way for others and is investing in the future of the industry. This year’s honoree is multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta, who serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director Laureate of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, and Conductor Laureate of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. As Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Falletta became the first woman to lead a major American orchestra and has been credited with bringing the BPO to an unprecedented level of national and international prominence.
Fernanda Lastra
Career Advancement Award
JoAnn Falletta has chosen her colleague and mentee, Fernanda Lastra to receive the Career Advancement Award. Lastra has served as assistant conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra since 2022 under Falletta’s mentorship. As a passionate and creative conductor, she is interested in a wide variety of repertoire, including symphonic, contemporary and operatic works. As part of her role as BPO’s assistant conductor, Lastra also serves as a member of the artistic team, music education committee and Diversity Council, among other responsibilities. Lastra is a passionate advocate for Latin American composers – especially those from her native Argentina.