Women Conductors (formerly known as Women Conductors at Morley) was founded in 2014 by Artistic Director Alice Farnham, and former Director of Music at Morley College, Andrea Brown, specifically to encourage more women to be conductors. It has put on a number of workshops for young, inexperienced women conductors and existing professionals all over the country from Cardiff to Glasgow.

Over 100 women have taken part, with many more coming to watch the confidence-building workshops, as well as top women conductors providing expert tips on how to conduct specific repertoire. The two-day Women Conductors workshops are run on weekends throughout the year across the UK, with two different phases available:

Phase one, led by Alice Farnham, is for women aged 16+ who are full-time students or have recently finished studying.

Phase two is for female professional musicians of all ages (minimum age 18) wishing to develop their careers by adding conducting to their professional portfolios. Workshops in 2017 will include Jane Glover on Classical Symphony, Sian Edwards on Romantic Symphony and Julia Jones on Opera (in collaboration with ROH’s Jette Parker Young Artists Programme).

September / October Women Conductors Workshops now booking

The Women Conductors programme runs as two-day workshops over weekends throughout the year, across the UK; they provide participants with an opportunity to discover communication and leadership qualities that they perhaps never thought they had.

Each workshop, with a maximum of 12 participants, is led by a celebrated female conductor - which in the past has included Jessica Cottis, Sian Edwards, Jane Glover, Julia Jones, Sarah Tenant-Flowers, Rebecca Miller and Andrea Quinn - supported by professional pianists and instrumental ensembles.

The next Phase one workshop will take place on Sunday 25 September AND Sunday 2 October at Trinity Laban, London, SE10 9JF.

► Early booking discounts and bursaries available: click here for further details.

Alice Farnham, Artistic Director of Women Conductors comments:

“As the programme has grown in size and popularity it has been clear that it needed a partner organisation with contacts all over the UK (and beyond) and a clear agenda to promote young talent and gender equality. The RPS, with its long experience of professional development, outstanding support for young musicians and strong commitment to widening understanding and enjoyment in music is key to taking Women Conductors to the next level of professionalism, outreach and UK-wide profile and the partnership is energizing all involved.”

► Women Conductors
► Workshops
► Donate to the programme
► Download the press release

20 July 2016