Women Composers Festival

From the early, medieval compositions of composer, writer, scientist Hildegard of Bingen, to the extraordinary works of Pulitzer prize winners Gabriela Lena Frank (2026), Susie Ibarra (2025), and Tania León (2021), to Best Contemporary Classical Compositon Grammy winners Gabriela Ortiz (2026 & 2025!), Jessie Montgomery (2025), and Caroline Shaw (2022), to the Tony Award’s Best Musical winners Anaïs Mitchell (2019), and Jeanine Tesori (2023), women’s contributions to music have resonated throughout history.  The MTAC Conejo Valley’s 10th Annual Women Composers Festival celebrates the contributions of women composers.

Our Women Composers Festival opens with a Teachers’ Showcase Recital on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 7:00 PM, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA. “Notes for Votes,” a recital presented by our MTAC Conejo Valley teacher members, commemorates Women’s Equality Day and the certification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. “Notes for Votes” will feature compositions by Anna Amalia, Mel Bonis, Marie Jaëll, and Jane Savage. 

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, the MTAC Conejo Valley invites you to hear a variety of music compositions by women performed by our branch’s students who, in addition to their musical performance, will share with the audience a bit about the composition and its composer.

• Eligibility:  Students of all levels, instrumentalists and vocalists
• Repertoire:  Compositions by women composers only, memorization is optional
• Special Instructions:  Students must be prepared to introduce their composer and their piece
• Registration Deadline: Mail in entries, postmarked by September 7, 2026.
• Application Fee:  $20
• Date and Time:  Sunday, September 27, 2026; 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Exact recital times will vary.
• Location:  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Dress Code and Decorum
Boys:
Wear slacks with a belt and a tucked-in button-up shirt with a collar. Jackets and ties are encouraged. Wear dress shoes with black socks.
Girls:
Wear a dress, a skirt with a blouse, or dress slacks with a blouse. The dress or skirt must be knee-length or longer. Wear dress shoes.
Not Allowed:
Do not wear shorts, T-shirts, blue jeans, sports uniforms, tight clothing, flip-flops, Crocs, or sneakers (exception: black sneakers).