Department of Music Celebrates Women's History Month With 2021 SHE Festival of Women in Music

The Department of Music in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences hosts their third annual SHE Festival of Women in Music, running in conjunction with Women's History Month this March. The third installment of the festival occurs virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All guest appearances and workshops will happen through Zoom (links on website) and a vignette concert series will run via the Department of Music's YouTube Channel. 

The Department of Music is proud to bring on the University of Arkansas Community Music School as a presenting partner for the SHE Festival. This new partnership brings the importance of diverse and inclusive music practices out of the campus community and into the heart of NWA's music community.

The 2021 SHE Festival lineup includes guest artists who are stellar performers, composers and pedagogues. A full list of events and guests appears on the festival's website fulbright.uark.edu/shefestival. Highlights of the 2021 festival include renowned composer Libby Larsen. As one of the United States' most prolific and most performed living composers, Larsen has been recognized for her achievements in music through numerous awards and accolades including a Grammy Award. Larsen will give three events through the festival: a composer's masterclass, a performer's masterclass, and a public talk titled "Libby Larsen: My Life as a Composer." Her events will all take place on Thursday, March 11, via Zoom.

Following the kick off events with Larsen, the festival continues with four additional guests. On March 12, Alyssa Morris, professor at Kansas State University, will give a composer’s talk and masterclass with UA composition students. The following week on March 18, Phyllis Lewis-Hale, professor at Jackson State University, gives a masterclass on Negro Spirituals as well as a talk on Black music traditions of Louisiana and the Caribbean. On March 22 the festival features “A Conversation with Lara Downes, Hosted by Lia Uribe.” Lara Downes will discuss her work and advocacy as a pianist and NPR commentator. Finally, Carol Brittin Chambers will join the festival as guest of the University of Arkansas Bands.

Unlike in previous years, the festival will not include stand-alone concerts on campus. Instead, the month of March will be dotted with vignette concerts shared with audiences through the Department's YouTube Channel. Each vignette includes music composed by women performed by U of A music students and faculty as well as young music students with the UA Community Music School. Watch for announcements on these vignettes on the Department's social media accounts.