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great lakes chamber orchestra's women composers night

A 2023 Arts & Culture grant helped the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra to put on a unique concert. Women Composers Night was dedicated to celebrating female composers while promoting their work and talents in the performing arts. All the pieces performed at the concert were composed by female composers and featured a rising star, Asian-American young violin soloist Karisa Chiu who received a standing ovation for her performance of Amanda Meier's Violin Concerto.  This piece was significant as Meier, herself a violinist and an award-winning composer, was the first female in history to receive a musical degree. Almost 67% of the attendees were women and girls. Additionally, GLCO Music Director Dr. Libor Ondras attracted over 100 community members to the pre-concert talk with his discussion around the pieces, composers, and historical evolution of the acceptance of female composers in the male-dominated field of classical music. It was a memorable concert that left a long-lasting impact on attendees and musicians alike.