Feminine Fusion


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“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.

Contact Diane Jones

Feminine Fusion

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 Bluesky (@composerjones.bsky.social) and Facebook (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!
  • S09 Ep36: Looking North, Part 5

    May 10, 2025

    “Colour is profoundly important to me as a composer, the actual colour of the sound..” – Anne Boyd   We continue our global trek with music from the south, specifically from New Zealand and Australia.  We’ll hear influences of traditional classical works as well as indigenous music. Looking South, Part 5 Marlene Cummins:  Starting Over Ensemble Offspring “Women of Note, Volume 5” ABC Classics 0055 Margaret Sutherland:  Concerto for String Orchestra Queensland Symphony Orchestra; Patrick Thomas, conductor “Australian Composers Volume 1: Miriam Hyde & Margaret Sutherland” ABC Classics 4462852 Anne Boyd:  Cloudy Mountain Animo “Animo Two” Ravello Records 8079 Elizabeth Younan:  …your heart dreams of spring Jennifer Koh, violin “Alone Together” Cedille 3011 Salina Fisher:  Hikari Alexi Kenney, violin “Shifting Ground” Bright Shiny Things 0205 Gillian Whitehead:  Aftermath, from “IPU” Richard Nunns, taonga pūoru; Tungia Baker, narrator; Judy Bailey, piano; Georg Pedersen, cello “IPU” Rattle 007 Tabea Squire:  I Danced, Unseen New […] Read More


  • S09 Ep36: Looking North, Part 5

    May 3, 2025

    “Tonal colour is important for me, but I don’t consider myself a spectral composer; my aim is to create dynamic forms. Translucency is also important, music must have air in it.” – Lotta Wennäkoski   We’re kicking off a trek around the globe, listening to women’s music from all points of the compass.  This week, we look to the North – Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Canada. Looking North, Part 5 Ruth Bakke:  Ragadòn Eikanger-Bjørsvik Musikklag “Frisk Pust: NY Norsk Musikk for Korps” Norsk Noteservice 34988 Lotta Wennäkoski:  Flounce Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra; Nicholas Collon, conductor Lotta Wennäkoski: Sigla; Flounce; Sedecim” Ondine 1420-2 Violet Archer:  Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra CBC Vancouver Orchestra; Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor “Three Concerti” Centrediscs 15610 Thurídur Jónsdóttir:  Flow and Fusion Iceland Symphony Orchestra; Daníel Bjarnson, conductor “Recurrence – ISO Project, Vol. 1” Dorian Sono Luminus 92213 Nancy Dalberg:  String Quartet No. 3 Nordic […] Read More


  • S09 Ep35: Debuts

    April 26, 2025

    “How could they deny this woman her place in history? Why did no one know to share this with me?” – Michelle Cann   Every performer has to start somewhere, so this week we hear from several debut releases. Debuts Kevin Puts:  Air, Mvt. IV from “Four Airs” Kristin Lee, violin Jeremy Ajani Jordan, piano “American Sketches” First Hand Records 147 Henryk Wieniawski:  Légende María Dueñas, violin Vienna Symphony; Manfred Honeck, conductor “Beethoven and Beyond” Deutsche Grammophon William Grant Still:  Summerland Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, piano “Fantasie” Sony Classical Margaret Bonds:  Troubled Water Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, piano “Fantasie” Sony Classical Florence Price:  Piano Sonata in E minor Michelle Cann, piano “Revival” Curtis Recordings Rebecca Scout Nelson:  Consolations 1-4 Rebecca Scout Nelson, vocals & Baroque violin “do not lament” Il Pirata Records   Run time:  58:30   Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you stories and […] Read More


  • S09 Ep34: Women of Old, Part 5

    April 19, 2025

      “Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of the Earth’s greenings. Now, think.” – Hildegard von Bingen   From the convent to the concert stage, this week we hear music composed by women throughout the centuries.  There may even be a few surprises!   Women of Old Hildegard of Bingen:  O Virtus Sapientiae Esther Abrami Quintet “Women” Sony Classical Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz:  Pues mi Dios Diana Baroni, vocals & flute; Rafael Guel Frias, baroque guitar & flute; Ronald Martin Alonso, viola da gamba “Mujeres” Aparté 310 Anne Emmerich:  Six Variations for Solo Guitar Heike Matthiesen, guitar “Guitar Divas” Ars Produktion Mel Bonis:  Femmes de Legende Anna Shelest, piano “Donna Voce, Volume 2” Sorel Classics Maria Frances Parke/Alexandra Maslovaric:  Sonata No. 1 in C Major Alexandra Maslovaric, violin; Monika Ruth Vida, piano “Regency Parke” Feminae 2501   Run time:  58:30   Feminine […] Read More


  • S09 Ep33: Room with a View

    April 12, 2025

    “Night after night, in solitude, staring into vast, soundless space.” – Diedre McKay   The world outside the window can inspire some amazing music.  This week, works inspired from a room with a view.   Room with a View   Judith Lang Zaimont:  Falling Raindrops (from “Pure, Cool (Water)) Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra; Niels Muus, conductor “Judith Lang Zaimont” Sorel Classics Diedre Gribbin:  Before the Moon Shattered and Shone Again Musici Ireland “Earthrise” Métier 77133 Lawren Brianna Ware:  Moonlit Waters Corbus du Toit, flute; Doreen Lee, piano “From the Rooftop” Neuma 202 Monica Houghton:  Wilderness Portraits Argenta Trio “Of Time & Place” Navona 6162 Diedre McKay:  Mr Shah Musici Ireland “Earthrise” Métier 77133 Wang Jie:  The Winter that United Us Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, conductor “Contemporary Landscapes” BPO   Run time:  58:30   Feminine Fusion highlights the roles of women in classical music. Host Diane Jones brings you stories and […] Read More


  • S09 Ep32: Patchwork Quilt, Part XLVI

    April 5, 2025

    “The stories of these women inspired me to create; they showed me the importance of leaving yourmark for future generations to discover.”  – Esther Abrami   Time for another Patchwork Quilt episode.  This week, we have the opportunity to preview some as-yet-unreleased music as well.   Patchwork Quilt, Part XLVI   Ney Rosauro:  Reunion Dance Duo AYA “Cycles” Neuma 218 Johan Helmich Roman:  Assagio in G minor Alison Luthmers, Baroque violin “Assaggi for Solo Violin” Rubicon 1140 Astor Piazzolla:  Regreso al amor Ophélie, Gaillard, cello “Cello Tango” Aparté 368 Olivia Belli:  Limina Luminis Anna Lapwood, organ “Firedove” Sony Classical Véronique Bracco:  The Forest: A Tale of the Fenghuang Galan Trio; Zacharias Tarpagkos, flute “Embrace” Neuma 216 Emma O’Halloran:  Night Music Coalescent Quartet “the wall between us (is where we meet)” Neuma 219 Ina Boyle:  Concerto for Violin & Orchestra “To the Memory of My Mother” Esther Abrami, violin Vienna Radio […] Read More


  • S09 Ep31: Winds of Change

    March 29, 2025

    “One of those lovelorn sonatas for wind instruments was riding past on a solemn white horse.  Everybody wondered who the new arrival was.”  – John Ashbery   This week we take a listen to women playing woodwinds!  Sounds of the flute, oboe, bassoon and clarinet all fill the air in this episode.   Winds of Change Eugene Bozza:  Image Olga Reiser, flute “Flute Tales” Solo Musica 375 Lowell Lieberman:  Sonata for Flute and Harp Odile Renault, flute; Elodie Reibaud, harp “Musikalische Perlen” Ars Produktion Robert K. Mueller:  Commemoration: In Honor of Fallen Heroes Theresa Delaplain, oboe; Tomoko Kashiwagi, piano “Souvenirs” MSR Classics 1691 Madeleine Dring:  Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano Three Wood Trio (Rebecca Mindock, oboe; Kirsten Boldt-Neurohr, bassoon; Laurie Anne Hunter, piano) “Three Wood Trio” Centaur 3226 W.A. Mozart:  Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 6221 (Mvt. 2) Annelien van Wauwe, clarinet North German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra; Andrew […] Read More


  • S09 Ep30: Words and Music: Spring

    March 22, 2025

    “We’re going to the park to chase and charge and chew and I will make you see what spring is all about” – Marilyn Singer, from “April Is a Dog’s Dream”   Once again, a program filled very simply with words and music.  Enjoy these springtime poems by women, paired with women’s music. “Words and Music: Spring” Andrea Clearfield & Charlotte Mew:  Let Us Remember Spring Laura Strickland, soprano Daniel Schlosberg, piano “40@40” Bright Shiny Things 0183 Helen Grime:  A Cold Spring The Hallé Soloists; Jamie Phillips, conductor “Helen Grime: Night Songs” Debut Discs 199 Florence Price:  Spring Karen Slack, soprano; Michelle Cann, piano “Florence Price: Beyond the Years” Azica Records 71370 Roxana Panufnik:  Spring in Japan (from Four World Seasons) BBC Symphony Orchestra; Tasmin Little, violin/conductor Graham Bradshaw, cello “A Violin for All Seasons” Chandos 5175 Elizabeth Younan:  Your Heart Dreams of Spring Jennifer Koh, violin “Alone Together” Cedille […] Read More


  • S09 Ep29: Film Music

    March 15, 2025

    “You’re there to help create a sonic arc that will carry the scene and translate the emotion that the film dictates and that the director wants.”  – Kathryn Bostic This week, women composing for film and television.  How many do you know?   “Film Music” Starr Parodi (with Jeff Eden Fair): Have I Got a Book for You “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” (original soundtrack) Lakeshore Records 36336 Nainita Desai: Excerpts from The Reason I Jump “The Reason I Jump” (original soundtrack) Mercury 3564295 Ariel Marx: Excerpts from A Friend of the Family “A Friend of the Family” (original soundtrack) Lakeshore Records 36339 Nami Melumad: Excerpts from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” (original soundtrack) Lakeshore Records 36289 Allyson Newman & Heather Mcintosh: Excerpts from The L Word: Generation Q “The L Word: Generation Q” (original soundtrack) Milan 010004647416 Kathryn Bostic: Excerpts from Amy Tan: Unintended […] Read More


  • S09 Ep28: Groundbreakers

    March 8, 2025

    “Music is the superlative expression of life experience, and woman by the very nature of her position is denied many of the experiences that colour the life of man.”  Amy Cheney Beach   In everything we do, there has to be someone who does it first.  This week, a look at the groundbreakers, women in classical music who were “the first.”   “Groundbreakers” Henryk Wieniawski:  Capriccio-Valse Maud Powell, violin Arthur Loesser, piano “The Art of Maud Powell, Vol. 2” Maud Powell 2 Gunther Schuller:  Quartet for Double Basses Orin O’Brien, double bass Robert Gladstone, Frederick Zimmerman, Alvin Brehm – double bass “Music for the Underdogs of the Orchestra” GM Recordings 2004 Claude Debussy:  Claire de Lune Anna Lelkes, harp “Debussy and Chill” PMI Collins Classics 11262 Nicolai Miaskovsky:  Two Pieces for String Orchestra Veronika Dudarova, conductor Moscow Symphony Orchestra; Bolshoi Theater Soloists Ensemble “Music of the First October Years” Olympia […] Read More


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