Oakland's Community Women's Orchestra (CWO) has thrived for 40 years, providing a supportive community for women musicians and conductors of varied ages and skill levels. Founded on principles of inclusivity, CWO offers opportunities for participation without the pressure of auditions. Members like Sue Leonardi and conductor Burgess highlight their experiences and the importance of female representation in music. Burgess nods to composer Louise Farrenc's legacy, linking the past with CWO's current mission of empowering women in music through collaboration and creativity.
"It's hard to find opportunities as a young female conductor that really allow you to develop and have an outlet for your artistic voice, so I feel very lucky to have this group that I can do that with."
"What I love about Louise Farrenc is that she was one of the first female professors at the Paris Conservatory of Music... It's such a great story; I thought it fit really well with the program."
"It's wonderful to see women of all ages, from their 20s into their 70s, come and go over the years - and to see them gain experience not just with playing instruments, but with composing and conducting too."
"Maybe it's because the orchestra isn't professional level, because it's based in Oakland, because it doesn't require auditions."
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