Providing a voice for women in music for over a century and for the future
In 1882 a tiny arts organization was born on East Broad Street. This event was at the home of Miss Mary W. Failing and became the Women’s Music Club. In 1926 the group was described in the publication Musical America as “one of the largest and most influential in the United States.”
The club presented a series of classical music concerts showcasing the premier performers of the time including both the Boston and New York Symphony Orchestras and composer Edward McDowell. There were several programs, both public and private, for the members, thus giving rare opportunities for women musicians to perform.
In 1982, its centenary, the Women’s Music Club had an established women’s orchestra, a choir, a scholarship for high school seniors, had donated funds for the Columbus Public Library to establish the Music Alcove and had purchased an organ for the Franklin County Memorial Hall (once the home of COSI).
Today this group of over 100 members, now named Women In Music-Columbus (WMC), is in its 132nd year. It continues to hold a series of public concerts at the Huntington Recital Hall at Capital University, Member Musicales that are held in private homes and outreach activities in Franklin County.
The membership today includes women who are members of university faculty and professional orchestras as well as the enthusiastic amateur. One of the most important missions is to provide for the young people of greater Columbus scholarships, performance opportunities and classes offering musical exposure to the under-privileged. We have three major competitions: the Young Artist’s String Competition for players ages 5 through 18, a scholarship for Advanced Music Study, open to college students up to age 27 who are enrolled in any music program in any a Central Ohio school and the Mary Lane Memorial Violin Competition, open to all violin students ages 16 through 24.
Mary Lane was a member of WMC, graduate of Julliard, accomplished violinist, teacher and member of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Several years ago, Dr. Tom Lesher, a former student of Mary, donated a substantial sum to WMC with the intent of establishing a scholarship in Mary’s memory. The competition has attracted young players of considerable talent.
The 2013 Mary Lane Memorial Violin Competition will be held at the Huntington Recital Hall, Capital University, on October 26, 2013 and the contestants will be competing for a prize of $3000. The winner of the competition will be invited to perform at the Huntington Recital Series concert for Women In Music Columbus to be held on Sunday, November 3rd at 3pm. at Capital University.
More information can be obtained at our website, WomenInMusicColumbus.com.
GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.
