WOMEN OF DISTINCTION INITIATIVE
After decades of programming that included works by women composers, the Women Composers Project was formalized in 2013 and then expanded in 2018 to include conductors and other artistic roles.
Our Women of Distinction Initiative features women engaged in various facets of the classical music industry. This program is supported by many contributors within the Pro Musica community.
2023–24 Season
ANNA CLYNE
composer
On April 27 and 28, as a poignant companion piece to Mozart’s Requiem, the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra will perform Anna Clyne’s Within Her Arms, a tribute to her late mother. This GRAMMY-nominated composer was recently featured on The New York Times program “5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Classical Music.”
JESSIE MONTGOMERY
composer
One of Santa Fe Pro Musica’s favorite contemporary composers, we present Mongomery’s music on our November 5 and January 28 orchestra programs. Fanfare magazine noted that her music combines “17th century English consort music, samba, mbira, Zimbabwean dance, swing, techno … and occasionally veers towards a modern jazz jam session.”
SACHI OBA
artist
Sachi Oba’s work “made of stars” (2021, acrylic on canvas) graces the covers of Pro Musica’s 2023–24 program book and brochure. Born in southern France and daughter of renowned stone sculptor, Toru Oba, she is known for her abstract paintings made from bright contrasting colors with flowing drips and melting techniques.
CLARA ROTTSOLK
soprano
One of Santa Fe Pro Musica’s favorite singers, with her “clear, appealing voice and expressive conviction” (New York Times), Rottsolk has performed in many of our Baroque Christmas, Holy Week, and Bach Festival concerts. This season she performs with us on December 22–23, and is featured on March 23–24.
Tanya Tomkins
cello
Equally at home on baroque and modern cello, Tomkins is renowned for her unique interpretations of the Bach Cello Suites. She has recorded this monumental set, performed them world-wide, and will present them in Santa Fe on December 20 and 21 as part of our Holiday Bach Festival in St. Francis Auditorium.
CAROLINE SHAW
composer
Shaw is one of the most awarded composers of her generation, and has received two GRAMMY awards (2019, 2022) and a Pulitzer Prize (2013). In addition to classical music, she writes for film, pop, and TV. Santa Fe Pro Musica presents the Diderot Quartet performing her music on January 14.
Anne Sofie von Otter
mezzo-soprano
One of the finest and most recorded singers of her generation, with two GRAMMY Awards for Best Classical Vocal Performance, her versatility and international acclaim are unrivaled. We welcome von Otter with Brooklyn Rider for Songs of Love and Death on November 19, opening our String Quartet Series.