“Feminine Fusion” is a weekly radio program that highlights the influence of women in classical music. These are the women throughout history and into the present day who create, perform, and inspire. Composer/announcer Diane Jones of WCNY-FM in Syracuse, NY is your host, and every week showcases some of these remarkable women.
Women are the central, unifying focus of this series. It is important to note, however, that their influence is broad-ranging, crossing the boundaries of culture, race, and gender. Who can know what might have happened to the likes of Aaron Copland, Donald Byrd, or Quincy Jones had they not studied with Nadia Boulanger?
“Had you asked me 10 years ago if I would have introduced a program focused on women in music, I would have said ‘no.’ Growing up in a houseful of brothers, I was always treated as their equal,” says Jones. “But there is still gender bias in the music world. I am anxious for the time when we no longer separate composers from women composers, or conductors from women conductors.”
Some of the individuals highlighted in this program entered the world of the arts knowing they faced opposition, and gathered their strength to face it head on. Others simply took to their chosen path, often unaware of the impact their actions would have. In every case, however, they have touched hearts and souls with their art.
Diane Jones
Diane Jones is the host of Feminine Fusion, aired every week on WCNY-FM. An active composer, she has received commissions from nationally and internationally-recognized musicians and ensembles, as well as completing 5 residencies in Syracuse area schools, introducing young musicians to composition. Diane performs regularly with Samba Laranja and the Central New York Flute Choir, and her music has been featured on two SAMMY-award winning CDs. Follow Diane on Twitter (@ComposerJones) and Facebook (here or here) for more about her programming and her music.
| Air Date | Program Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15 - 20 | Voices Raised, Part 6 | Performances from women's choirs around the world | |
| June 21 - 28 | Strung Along, Part 4 | Performances from women playing strings | |
| June 29 - July 5 | Independence Day | Celebrating US history and achievements | |
| July 6 - 12 | A Little Romance | Works by women from the Romantic era | |
| July 13 - 19 | Patchwork Quilt, Part XLII | No special theme, just wonderful works and performances by women | |
| July 20 - 26 | One Life: Ellen Taaffe Zwillich | A look at the life and music of Ellen Taaffe Zwillich, the first woman to with the Pulitzer Prize in Music | |
| July 27 - Aug 2 | Strings and Things | Women's chamber music featuring strings and...? | |
| Aug 3 - 9 | Taking the Lead | Women at the podium leading the orchestra | |
| Aug 10 - 16 | Always a Classic | Who were the women writing in Haydn and Mozart's time? | |
| Aug 17 - 23 | O, Canada, Part 3 | Let's travel north to hear from women composing and performing in Canada | |
| Aug 24 - 30 | Season 8 Wrap-up | A look back at what we've heard in Season 8 of Feminine Fusion! |
February 22, 2025
“[We want] to challenge the narrative that people of African descent aren’t capable of writing at this level. To challenge the narrative that Black people can’t sing or conduct complex, challenging music, or produce dynamic works. To continue to challenge the imposed identity of Blackness as lacking the depth or breadth of variety and intelligent creation.” Aria Mason, Co-founder/Production Director of Opera Créole. This week we travel to New Orleans to meet the mother-and-daughter duo who co-founded Opera Créole. These amazing women are committed to researching, preserving, and presenting lost or rarely-performed works by composers of African descent. “Women of Color – Portrait: Opera Créole” Basile Barés: La Creole Peter Collins, piano “Music of Basile Barés” Centaur 2835 Scott Joplin: Treemonisha (excerpts) Original cast orchestra & chorus; Gunther Schuller, conductor Betty Allen (Monisha); Edward Pierson (Parson Alltalk) “Treemonisha” Deutsche Grammophon 4589 Lucien Lambert: Brocéliande Hot Springs Music Festival; Richard Rosenberg, conductor […] Read More
February 15, 2025
“Everyone just really needs that one big opportunity, and you knock it out of the ballpark, and that starts it.” – Chanda Dance Every day, more and more women of color are being recognized for their musical contributions. This episode highlights some of these women who are composing works that are reflective, innovative, and captivating. “Women of Color – Composers, Part 8” Valerie Capers: Ruby: Tableau IV. Reflections Members of the African American Composer Initiative “Where Freedom Rings” Cambria 1238 Nia Imani Franklin: Afro-dite Matt Haimovitz, cello “Primavera II: The Rabbits” Pentatone 186293 Nkeiru Okoye: Dusk & Drums Talking (from African Sketches) Maria Thompson Corley, piano “Soulscapes 2” MSR Classics 1744 Ysaye Maria Barnwell: Wanting Memories Mansfield University Concert Choir Peggy Dettwiler, director “I Can Tell the World (Live)” Mark Records 4871 Shirley Thompson: Life Sequences Electric Voice Theater “The Franklin Effect” First Hand 051 Hannah Kendall: The […] Read More
February 8, 2025
“I’d never heard anybody play like that – short pearls on the string that just rung with the sweetness of honey.” – Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama Women of color are still a relative rarity in the classical music world. So on this episode, we’ll hear performances from several women working today, and making new paths and opportunities for tomorrow. Women of Color: Performers, Part 8 Flutronix & Third Coast Percussion: Play, from Rubix Flutronix (Nathalie Joachim & Allison Loggins-Hull) Third Coast Percussion “Perspectives” Cedille 210 Judith Lang Zaimont: Serenade Melissa White, violin Paul Wiancko, cello; Awadagin Pratt, piano “Eternal Evolution: The Music of Judith Lang Zaimont” Navona 5846 Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama: Sonoran Storm Nokuthula Endo Ngwenyama, viola “Sonoran Storm” EDI Records Robert Schumann: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 41 Melina Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola/founder Dover Quartet “R. Schumann: String Quartets, Op. 41” Azica 71331 Amanda Harberg: Prayer Julietta Curenton, […] Read More
February 1, 2025
“People can’t be what they can’t see. Representation matters.” – Kalena Bovell, conductor There are many ways to inspire young musicians. Just performing, being a visible example of what is achievable, can be more influential than you may realize. And of course, being an educator has a direct impact on others. Not to mention arts organizers and leaders in advocacy organizations. This episode highlights women of color who are leaders, in a myriad of roles, providing guidance and inspiration to others along their way. “Women of Color – Leaders, Part 5” Zenobia Powell Perry: Cycle of Songs on Poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar (excerpts) Darryl Taylor, tenor; Deon Nielsen Price, piano “Music of Zenobia Powell Perry: Art Songs and Piano Music” Cambria 1138 Adriana Holszky: Floten des Lichts Kay George Roberts, conductor Renate Brosch, soprano; Commonwealth Winds “Message” CPO 999290 Julia Perry: Short Piece for Orchestra Imperial Philharmonic […] Read More
January 25, 2025
“Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden.” – Cormac McCarthy On this episode of Feminine Fusion, music inspired by some of the most critical – and sometimes frightening – elements: Fire and Ice. Each is vital to our modern existence. Fire warms us in the winter, and ice cools us when we are fevered, yet each can also be frightening and overpowering, and the works today reflect many aspects of these elements. “Fire and Ice, Part 2” Ralph Towner: When the Fire Burns Low Tomomi Kohno, guitar “Luxe” Act Infini 1031 Bernat Vivancos: Vocal Ice for Soprano and Cello Octet Nurial Rial, soprano 8 Cellists of the Basel Symphony Orchestra “Vocalise” Sony 88883754452 Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian: Firedance Upton Trio “These Are Different Times” Albany 1151 Dobrinka Tabakova: Frozen River Flows Roman Mints, violin; Donatas Bagurskas, double bass; Raimondas Sviackevicius, accordian “String Paths” ECM New Series 4764826 […] Read More
January 18, 2025
“The best conductors are the best listeners.” – Tom Service Let’s take another listen to ensembles being led by some of today’s leading women at the conductor’s podium. You may be familiar with one or two of the women highlighted today, but most will probably be new to you. But they are all tremendously talented. “On the Podium, Part 5” Greg Edmonson: Main Theme, Uncharted II Eímear Noone, conductor Danish National Symphony Orchestra “Gaming in Symphony” EuroArts 880242677013 Jessie Montgomery: Coincident Dances Mei-Ann Chen, conductor Chicago Sinfonietta “Project W” Cedille 90000 185 Mieczslaw Weinberg: Symphony No. 21, Op. 152 “Kaddish” Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Kremerata Baltica “Weinberg: Symphonies No. 2 & 21” Deutsche Grammophon 4836566 Astor Piazzolla: Primavera Porteña Lina Gonzalez-Granados, conductor Unitas Ensemble; Cuarteto Latinoamericano “Estaciones” Urtext 279 Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari: Suite Veneziana Ariane Matiakh, conductor Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra “Strauss: Aus Italien, Op. 16 & Wolf-Ferrari: Suite Veneziana” Capriccio 5344 58:29 […] Read More
January 11, 2025
“Each individual is as individual as their fingerprints, and I think that’s extraordinary.” – Annie Lennox Time to add another block to our Patchwork Quilt. Enjoy the great music from women on this episode! “Patchwork Quilt, Part XLV” Nadia Boulanger: La Mer Kathryn Stott, piano Yo-yo Ma, cello “Merci” Sony Classical Robert Schumann: Violin Sonata No. 1 Alina Ibragimova, violin Cédric Tiberghien, piano “Schumann: Violin Sonatas” Hyperion 68354 Lee R. Kesselman: Make Me a Willow Cabin Haven Trio “would that Loving were enough” Blue Griffin 675 Stacy Garrop: Mythology Suite Nevada Wind Ensemble; Reed Chamberlin, conductor “Mythology Suite” Navona 6678 Julia Perry: Symphony in One Movement Experiential Orchestra; James Blachly, conductor “American Counterpoints” Bright Shiny Things 0200 Run time: 58:30 Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you stories and music of the women who create, perform, and inspire. Produced […] Read More
January 4, 2025
“A band of women is never just a band. It’s always excotic.” – Roz Cron, former member of Ada Leonard’s All-American Girl Orchestra & The Sweethearts “Swing Shift Maisies,” the musical version of Rosie the Riveter, had their heyday during World War II. The return of the soldiers after the war saw the demise of the all-woman orchestra. But we have seen new all-female orchestras arise again in the last several years, albeit for different reasons. We’ll hear from a few of them on this episode. “The All-Woman Orchestra” Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto, from Song of Norway Phil Spitalny and the Hour of Charm Orchestra “The Hour of Charm Radio Broadcasts” Old Time Radio Catalog Maddalena Sirmen: Violin Concerto No. 5 Terry Baune, violin Bay Area Women’s Philharmonic; JoAnn Falletta, conductor “Baroquen Treasures” Newport 60102 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550 Rachel Porter’s All […] Read More
December 28, 2024
“Winter’s dance is quite a show, an ice-kissed, dazzling, magical place, transformed by winter’s cold embrace!” – Patricia L. Cisco, “Transformation of Earth into A Winter Wonderland” It’s winter, and that’s a good time for a special edition of Feminine Fusion. In this episode, we pair women’s music with women’s poetry. Enjoy! Words and Music: Winter Katherine Hover: Winter Spirits Laurel Zucker, flute “Native American Stories in Classical Flute Music” Cantilena 66017 I’lana Sandra Cotton: Music for Midwinter Max Lifchitz, piano “American Women Composers” North/South Recordings 1043 Judith Bingham: The Darkness Is No Darkness Voces8 “Winter” Decca 430968 Reena Esmail: A Winter Breviary St. Martin’s Voices; Andres Earis, director “A Winter Breviary” Resonus Classics 10328 Lavinia Meijer: Open Window Lavinia Meijer, harp “Winter” CBS Sony 19658868622 Rebecca Dale: Winter Voces8; Mari Samuelsen, violin; Hakon Samuelsen, cello; Huw Watkins, celesta “Winter” Decca 430968 Run time: 58:29 Feminine Fusion highlights […] Read More
December 21, 2024
“So the shortest day came, and the year died, And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away.” – Susan Cooper, “The Shortest Day” There’s something special about the Winter Solstice – the shortest day, the longest night. It has been a constant since the world was new. This episode, music inspired by the Solstice. Winter Solstice Samuel Howley: Winter Solstice Ada Witczyk, violin “New Baroque” First Hand Recordings 160D Theresa Martin: Solstice Maria du Toit, clarinet; Vera Kooper, piano “She/Her” Channel Classics 47024 Elizabeth Raum: Northern Lights Jaye Marsh, flute; Heidi Elise Bearcroft, harp; Andrew Morris, percussion “Flute in the Wild” Centrediscs 28921 Thea Musgrave: Songs for a Winter’s Evening Lisa Milne, soprano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Osmo Vänskä, conductor “Turbulent Landscapes” NMC 153 Run time: 58:29 Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical […] Read More
