Women in Music

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, classical wind quintet Northerly Winds joins forces with award-winning harpist Elfair Dyer and PhD researcher Emma Haughton for Women in Music, an evening of performance and discussion at Low Four Studio. The event shines a light on the vital contributions of women to classical music—both past and present.

Despite progress towards gender equality in the industry, the classical repertoire remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. A recent study of 111 orchestras across 31 countries found that only 7.7% of works performed in the 2023-24 season were written by non-male composers. The imbalance is even greater in chamber and wind quintet music, where some UK ensembles programme as little as 4-8% of their repertoire from non-male composers. Events like Women in Music play an essential role in shifting the narrative and championing greater diversity in programming.

The evening features performances from Northerly Winds and Elfair Dyer, including a rarely heard piece by Mary Howe, originally commissioned by the Vienna Symphony in 1957, alongside music by Amy Beach, Florence Maunders, and GRAMMY-nominated Valerie Coleman. There will also be a panel discussion with the musicians and a presentation by Emma Haughton, exploring women’s impact on classical music both historically and today.

Northerly Winds is an emerging northern wind quintet, made up of freelance musicians who regularly perform with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, and Manchester Concert Orchestra. Brought together by a love of chamber music and a shared commitment to diversifying the classical repertoire, the ensemble continues to shine a spotlight on underrepresented voices.

Tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite and on the door, with a tiered ticketing system—including a “Pay What You Can” option—ensuring accessibility for all.