As the library of great wind band works continues to grow, now more than ever is it essential that our ensembles integrate music that not only is musically diverse, but exposes listener and performer alike to works by composers of varying gender, nationality and color.

For its Spring Concert, the Manhattan Wind Ensemble will be performing a program composed entirely of works by women. Featured composers include Jodie Blackshaw, Chen Yi, Rosalie Burrell, JoAnne Harris, Shelley Hanson, and Björk.

Music Director Sarah Fernández was inspired by a fellow musician in the ensemble to cultivate a program featuring the quality, meaningful repertoire written by women actively composing for wind band.

The program includes:

Overture to Dancer in the Dark – Björk
Spring Festival – Chen Yi
Laila – Rosalie Burrell
Albanian Dances – Shelley Hanson (guest conductor, Laurel Stinson)
Twist – Jodie Blackshaw
The Lighthouse – Joanne Harris
One Life Beautiful – Julie Giroux