The initiative announced 7th March 2018, on the eve of International Women's Day will span 5 years and promote and commission work by female musicians and composers.

It will be comprised of three different strands and co funding in the form of €20,000 be awarded each year to deserving female talent.

The first strand will see the NCH and STF co-curate a new Chamber Music Programme as part of the NCH Chamber Music Series 2018. The series will seek to reveal the work of female composers and highlight women who have been active but hidden as composers over the centuries, with reference to the context within which they were working.

The second is a new commissioning scheme to provide opportunity to established and emerging composers to have their work commissioned and performed at the NCH. This scheme will focus on the creation of cross-disciplinary and collaborative work in the NCH programme. Details of the scheme are to be announced in the coming months.

Lastly, the third strand will see both the NCH and STF focus on the diverse range of works of female artists working in today’s contemporary music space. It is envisaged the programme will see not only concerts but workshops, residencies and collaborations to further enhance creation and promotion of work by female artists that is expected to be presented in 2019.

This ground breaking initiative is being announced in the National Concert Hall at an event featuring guest of honour Sabina Higgins with opening remarks by Josepha Madigan, TD Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and keynote speakers Dee Forbes Director General of RTÉ and Eleanor McEvoy, solo artist and Chairperson of IMRO. The event also sees performances by singer/songwriter Loah, NCH Female Conductor Programme participant, composer and mezzo-soprano Siobhra Quinlan and Musici Quartet.

Josepha Madigan, TD Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said

‘Ensuring equality across all areas of the arts requires not just fine words or putting in place good policies, it requires actions too. Tonight I am delighted that my Department, under the Creative Ireland Programme will partner with the National Concert Hall to co-fund a programme of new initiatives with Sounding the Feminists.’

Further details of the NCH and Sounding Feminists 2018-2022 Initiative to be announced in the coming months.