Celebrating the History of Women in Music with The Ladies Six

The Ladies Six Plus One gave a glorious concert on March 23, 2022, at the historic St. Ignatius Church in Forest Hill, MD. St. Ignatius, which is listed on the Historic Registry, was a perfect venue to hold a concert entitled: The History of Women in Music. The singers were accompanied by Rob Barbarino, the music director of St. Ignatius, on the piano and Abby Shaw on the violin. In addition to singing the audience was also treated to some instrumental pieces. There were two compositions written for the organ which were played by Rob Barbarino. Rob on the piano then teamed up with Abby Shaw for an amazing rendition of Romanze Op. 3, composed by Luise Adolpha Le Beau. Also presented during the concert were readings of poems written by women authors. A large range of musical styles were covered by the singers and instrumentalist. The women composers represented during the concert had birth dates going as far back as 1805. That was the year of the birth of Fanny Mendelssohn. The youngest composer has a birth date of
2001. This is the birth year of Billie Eilish. With an almost 200-year difference one can appreciate the different musical styles. The night began with a moving arrangement of America the Beautiful sung by the the Ladies Six Plus One. The lyrics of this famous piece were written by Katherine Lee Bates in 1925. The atmosphere in the chapel was electric after that song! Our very own Wendy Scheinberg composed a song for voice, piano, and violin to accompany the Prayer of St. Francis, Lord Make me an Instrument of Thy Peace. Wendy spoke of how she was inspired to compose this piece and then she sang it for the audience. It brought many of us to tears. Also, our very own, Katie Joy Allen performed her cover of a song composed by Billie Eilish, entitled; My Future. She performed the song accompanied by a recording of her own voice doing other parts! And tying the whole evening tonight was a well-researched narration given by Chris Potts, executive director of the Harford County Historical Society. All the pieces that were performed to honor women in music history were sung by the Ladies Six plus One with such talent and passion. It was quite an amazing night! This is a concert that will be remembered fondly by all of us who were fortunate enough to attend.

-Meccy Gast, DCC board member