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This podcast has
43 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Chords and QueensExplicit
No
Date created
2025/01/17
Latest episode
2026/10/05
Average duration
33 min.
Release period
17 days
Description
Hello and welcome to Chords & Queens, the podcast that uncovers the untold stories of the world’s most captivating female composers—with a fresh, modern twist! Every week, we shine a spotlight on a trailblazing woman who reshaped the world of music, diving into her life, her legacy, and the timeless sounds she brought to the world. Hosted by composer and multi instrumentalist Jennifer Athan. Let’s get social! Instagram - @ChordsandQueens TikTok - @ChordsandQueens
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Check latest episodes from Chords and Queens podcast
Classical Music has an Education AND a Postcode problem - What One Violinist is Doing to Fix It.
2026/10/05
In this episode we dive into the world of classical music education and how initiatives like the Benedetti Foundation are leading the charge in creating fulfilling, inspiring and elite music education in a variety of different locations. We talk about discouraging A-Level and GCSE statistics and the disparities between different countries within the UK and how having a certain postcode can put you at an advantage when it comes to affordable, or even free music education. The Benedetti Foundation: Website: https://www.benedettifoundation.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/benedetti_foundation/?hl=enCardiff Benedetti Sessions: https://www.benedettifoundation.org/cardiff-benedetti-sessions✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Website 💻https://www.chordsandqueens.comLet’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Nwando Ebizie: How a 12th Century Nun inspired an Opera
2026/09/24
In this episode, I chat to multi-disciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie about her new opera Ecstasy of the Virtues presented by Mahogany Opera. Which is her bold new take on the 900 year old Ordo Virtutum by medieval composer Hildegard of Bingen. We also talk about how she got her start in the creative industries as well as where she gets her inspiration from, and how she creates projects that not only entertain audiences, but invite them to look inward and question what they know.
Ecstasy of the Virtues:
https://mahoganyopera.co.uk/new-works/hildegard-visions
Nwando Ebizie:
Website: https://www.nwandoebizie.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nwando_ebizie/?hl=en
Mahogany Opera:
Website: https://mahoganyopera.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahoganyopera/
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Website 💻
https://www.chordsandqueens.com
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Ayanna Witter-Johnson talks New Album New Roots and being an LSO St Luke’s Associate Artist
2026/09/07
Joining me on the podcast today is the wonderful cellist, singer, pianist and composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson. We chat about her love of music at an early age, her new album New Roots and we look ahead to her upcoming performance at LSO St Luke's in London on 16th September as part of her new residency there, where the album comes to life through an evening of music, poetry and dance.New Roots First Light Tickets Here: https://www.lso.co.uk/whats-on/ayanna-witter-johnson-new-roots-first-light/Ayanna Witter-Johnson: Website: https://www.ayannamusic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayannawj/?hl=en✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Website 💻https://www.chordsandqueens.comLet’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Rockey Sun Keting: How Six Women Poets Across 1,000 Years Inspired a New Choral Work
2026/08/28
In this episode, I get to talk to composer Rockey Sun Keting about her creative process, her role as Co-Director of the artist collective Tangram, and Tangram's newly announced position as one of three Artistic Partners for LSO St Luke's 2026/27 season. We also dig into her latest project, Chronicle 时•录 which is a new choral theatre work created with Tangram and SANSARA, celebrating six incredible women poets across a thousand years of Chinese history, premiering at LSO St Luke's on the 30th and 31st of August 2026.
Get tickets here: https://www.lso.co.uk/chronicle-时录/
Rockey Sun Keting:
Website: https://www.ketingsun.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockeysunketing/
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Website 💻
https://www.chordsandqueens.com
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Jocelyn Hagen: Here I am Album and Scoring the Music of Leonardo da Vinci
2026/08/24
On today’s episode I’m joined by American composer Jocelyn Hagen. We talk about how she grew up with a musical family and how she discovered her love for composition through writing songs. We discuss how she founded the collective and podcast Compose Like a Girl, her upcoming album Here I Am, which features her stunning recording of The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, alongside the title track which is a piece born from conductor Eric Holtan's suggestion that Jocelyn write something celebrating the women's suffrage movement and the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Jocelyn Hagen: Website: https://jocelynhagen.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelynhagenmus/Compose Like a Girl Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Lw4XKm99bCMw5vAMPGccF?si=0ddbebf3d0ac4dddApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/compose-like-a-girl/id1698863746✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Website 💻https://www.chordsandqueens.comLet’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueensTimestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:11 - Jocelyn's Early Start in Music2:00 - Choosing a Career in Music 5:06 - How songwriting helped Jocelyn’s compositional career 5:52 - How Much of Composing is Inspiration vs Discipline 7:26 - Combining Debussy and Ed Sheeran 9:47 - The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci 12:05 - Working Across Genres 12:58 - Here I Am Album 15:47 - What made Jocelyn Start Compose like a Girl 21:22 - Interviewing other Women Composers 23:27 - What advice would you give to aspiring composers? 24:00 - Jocelyn’s Music Recommendation 25:32 - Outro
Beatrice Nicholas: The Concert Pianist tearing up the Rule Book
2026/08/17
On today's episode, I sit down with pianist and composer Beatrice Nicholas to talk about her journey learning piano and composing her own music, plus her advocacy for the next generation of classical pianists and the opportunities she's creating for young musicians. We also chat about her upcoming headline show at London's Ronnie Scott's, where she'll be spotlighting the work of African American women composersBeatrice Nicholas: Website: https://www.beatricenicholas.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatrice_nicholas_pianist/✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Website 💻https://www.chordsandqueens.comLet’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueensTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:02 - Early Years in Music 2:14 - The Power of Music Teachers 4:42 - Making Classical Music Accessible 7:55 - The Moment Beatrice Knew She Wanted to be a Pianist 9:21 - Rewiring Classical Music 10:52 - Becoming a Composer14:34 - Beatrice the Amazing Astronaut 16:05 - Balancing being a performer and composer 16:51 - Black and Classical EP 19:53 - The Lack of Diversity in Composition 22:08 - Creating more opportunities for composers 25:19 - Upcoming Performance at Ronnie Scott's 28:30 - What the audience can expect at Ronnie Scott’s 30:30 - Does Beatrice have any Pre-Show Rituals? 31:00 - Advice for aspiring musicians and composers 33:25 - What piece written by a woman does Beatrice recommend? 33:49 - Outro
Three Choirs Festival: Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Kerensa Briggs
2026/08/10
On today's episode, I sit down with two of the composers featured at the 2026 Three Choirs Festival: Cheryl Frances-Hoad and Kerensa Briggs.We talk about how they each got started in music and found their way into composition, before diving into the pieces they're bringing to this year's festival, walking through their compositional processes, the ideas and inspirations behind the works, and what audiences can expect to hear.Cheryl Frances-Hoad: Website:https://www.cherylfranceshoad.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylhoad/Kerensa Briggs: Gloucester Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLVhzSrk9Q4Website: https://www.kerensabriggs.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerensabriggs/Three Choirs Festival: Website: https://3choirs.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/threechoirs/?hl=en✨New Episodes (usually) Every Monday✨Let’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueensTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:07 - Cheryl Frances-Hoad 1:18 - Compositional Background 2:25 - Inspiration for Stones of the Sky 3:19 - Writing a composition for a specific musician to play 4:19 - Turning Gemstones into Music 5:57 - Stones of the Sky Writing Process 7:43 - Anything surprising about the finished piece? 8:40 - Being apart of Three Choirs Festival 9:29 - Kerensa Briggs 9:41 - Kerensa’s start in Composition 10:21 - What made you want to write Choral Music? 11:05 - Having your music played in the Cathedral she once performed in 12:34 - Gloucester Service Writing Process 13:24 - Did being a young chorister help with composing? 13:45 - Anything surprising about the finished piece? 14:08 - Her family history with the Three Choirs Festival 14:51 - Three Choirs Festival 2027 and Outro
Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey: Her mission to change lives through music
2026/07/27
On today's episode, I'm joined by percussionist, conductor, scholar, and educator Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey. We talk about her early music education in Alaska, growing up surrounded by extraordinary role models, and how that upbringing shaped her drive to put her musical training in service of real-world issues. We also dig into the persistent underrepresentation of women composers on concert programmes, and why in this day and age programming Beethoven is anything but a neutral choice. We also explore her remarkable 2019 project with the Women's Orchestra of Afghanistan, as well as her latest endeavour: recording the complete keyboard works of composer Marianna Martines.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cayennaconductor/
Marianna Martines Life and Music: https://youtu.be/rKE_N21fz_0?si=SP3myJnoOxBqXBi4
0:00 - Introduction
1:37 - Growing up Playing Music
3:24 - Learning to Play Percussion
5:08 - Why Music Genres Don’t Matter
8:02 - How did Cayenna get into Conducting?
11:56 - How can we get more women into conducting?
14:27 - Adding Value to Orchestral Performance
17:52 - How Can Orchestral Music Help Push for Change
19:40 - Championing the Work of Women Composers
22:18 - Working with the Women’s Orchestra of Afghanistan
31:17 - How Impactful Orchestras Can be
33:24 - Recording the Complete Keyboard Works of Marianna Martines
36:30 - What did you learn about Marianna Martines?
46:38 - Reacting to male conductors calling Martines a “second rate composer”
51:10 - Should all Orchestras try to Programme More Women?
53:52 - What advice would you give to the next generation?
55:17 - Who’s Cayenna adding to the playlist?
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Anna Clyne talks love of collaboration, her new piece Sirens, and the importance of finding your community.
2026/06/15
On today's episode, we sit down with the magnificent Anna Clyne. We explore her earliest childhood memories of writing music, her love of collaboration, and her new piece Sirens, as well as her advice for the next generation of women composers. She also reflects on the distinction of being the most performed living woman composer, and whether that title feels like an honour, or whether she'd simply rather be known as a composer.
Anna Clyne:
Website:
https://www.annaclyne.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/annaclynecomposer/?hl=en
Music:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4d2fe6u4HBGX4ZbBbEmM3j
https://classical.music.apple.com/gb/artist/399017062
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
www.chordsandqueens.com
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Rebekah Reid talks Hypermobility, Loop Pedals and a Headline Show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
2026/05/28
On today’s episode we welcome violinist and composer Rebekah Reid, who talks to us about navigating hypermobility as a violinist, writing music and her upcoming gig at the famous London Jazz Club - Ronnie Scott’s. During the episode we get an insight into her writing process as she shows us how she constructs a song live on stage using a loop pedal. We also chat about the harrowingly low statics highlighting that only 0.59% of Black Women had their work preformed by major Orchestras in the 2023/24 Concert Season.* As well as how we can improve this statistic moving forward and support other women. As she prepares for her gig at Ronnie’s, she also lets us know that 2027 will be a big year for new music, and oh, we’re also manifesting a loop pedal at the proms… Rebekah Reid at Ronnie Scott’s: https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/find-a-show/rebekah-reidWebsite: https://www.rebekahreidviolin.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bekareidviolin/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebekahreidmusicFia Roberts - Producer: https://www.fiaroberts.com✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Let’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens0:00 - Introduction 1:24 - Rebekah’s start in Music 1:57 - What made you want to play the violin? 2:32 - Did Rebekah ever think about giving up the violin? 3:55 - Navigating the Physical Side of Playing the Violin 6:27 - Talking about Injuries and Chronic Pain in Classical Music8:47 - How Music Education Shaped Rebekah’s Career 10:30 - How Rebekah Reid writes her music 13:39 - Rebekah walks us through how she creates her tracks live 14:04 - Rodeo Ride Live 16:22 - Max Richter Inspired Piece Live 18:35 - Unpacking the Writing Process 20:23 - At what point did Rebekah find her own compositional voice 22:55 - Have you ever felt excluded from the Classical genre?25:59 - Creating your own Opportunities 26:56 - Live Vs. Recording 28:13 - Preforming at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club 28:52 - Do certain venues make classical music feel more accessible? 31:09 - What can audiences expect from the Ronnie’s gig? 32:44 - Releasing Music 34:56 - The Lack of Women and Diversity in Music Composition 39:30 - Navigating the ‘Women Composer’ title 40:46 - How we can make composition more diverse 44:13 - Age in Classical Music 45:43 - AI in Classical Music 48:55 - Advice to Composers 52:15 - Rebekah Reid’s Music Recommendation 53:31 - Ending *https://donne-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DonneReport2024.pdf
Isabelle O’Connell and Rhona Clarke : The Pandemic Collaboration That Inspired an Album
2026/04/06
On today's episode, we're joined by pianist Isabelle O'Connell and composer Rhona Clarke to talk about their album Cocteau - and how a pandemic collaboration quietly grew into something much bigger. We chat about their beginnings in music, the inspiration behind the project, and the work of Les Six member Germaine Tailleferre, whose music features on the album.Isabelle O’Connell: Website: https://www.isabelleoconnell.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/izzypianonyc/Rhona Clarke: Website: https://www.rhonaclarke.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonapclarke/Cocteau: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/cocteau/1869394834Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2vVpDmuxxxwvw3Ujmymr6D?si=_XjbogLSSUa6sp3v7ZokiwFinding a Voice Festival: https://www.findingavoice.ie✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Let’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueensTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens0:00 - Introduction 1:21 - Rhona Clarke’s first introduction to music 2:03 - Where Isabelle’s musical journey began 3:49 - What kind of music student was Isabelle? 4:47 - What Kind of music student was Rhona? 6:24 - How the pandemic started the ‘Cocteau’ album journey 8:00 - Translating Jean Cocteau’s art to music 9:41 - Jean Cocteau’s impact on Rhona’s music 10:20 - Selecting the music to appear on ‘Cocteau’ album 12:38 - the ‘Cocteau’ writing Process 17:49 - What was the most challenging piece? 19:20 - Selecting works written by Germaine Tailleferre 20:48 - Was Rhona inspired by the work of Tailleferre? 21:00 - Discovering the life and work of Tailleferre23:00 - Finding a Voice Festival 25:30 - What does it take to be a good collaborator in music? 28:20 - Does Rhona write music with the performer in mind? 31:40 - Anything surprising during the Cocteau process? 34:34 -Do Rhona and Isabelle agree that “art is not a pastime but a priesthood”? 37:38 - Advice to future composers and musicians 38:53 - What do Isabelle and Rhona recommend we listen to?
Written Oot the Reel: Where are the Women in 18th and 19th Century Scottish Traditional Music?
2026/03/30
On this week’s episode we try and answer the question - where are the women in the Golden Age of Scottish trad music? So let’s look at the lives of Euphemia Murray, Catherine White, Magdalene Stirling and Anna Gordon. Just some of the names that shaped 18th and 19th century Scottish Music.
Sources -
Female Composers in Scotland’s Golden Age - Aaron McGregor
https://fillocksfiddlers.com/2025/10/22/female-composers-in-scotlands-golden-age/
A Collection of Entirely Original Strathspeys, Reels… By. Ladies Resident in the Remote Part of the Highlands
https://imslp.org/wiki/A_Collection_of_Entirely_Original_Strathspey_Reels%2C_etc._(Various)
Historical Music Scotland Archives:
https://hms.scot/prints/source/143/
https://hms.scot/prints/source/145/
London Newspaper Article Found in:
https://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/MISSKA_MISSRU.htm
Miss Auchtertyre Score:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/scottskinner/collection.php?pageNum_index=55
The Ballad World of Anna Gordon Book:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-ballad-world-of-anna-gordon-mrs-brown-of-falkland-9780198939092?cc=us&lang=en
Magdalene Stirling Tunes:
https://www.highlandmusictrust.org/the-magdelina-stirling-collection
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
0:00 - Introduction
0:40 - Let’s talk women in music
1:43 - Setting the Scene
2:36 - Women’s History in 18th Century Scotland
4:24 - Euphemia Murray - check spelling
8:08 - Catherine E White
10:50 - Magdalene Stirling
12:48 - Anna Gordon - The Ballad Collector
17:17 - Conclusion
Jennifer King: The Award Winning Pianist That’s Championing Canadian Women Composers
2026/03/23
On today's episode, we sit down with Jennifer King, the award-winning pianist and recording artist. We talk about her early days learning music and the importance of being able to access music education, as well as her phenomenal career as a performer, teacher, and actress - playing the role of Ethel Smyth in The Bessie Carruthers Study Club. With such an impressive career, Jennifer has no desire to slow down and enjoy the fruits of her labour quite yet. In fact, there's one area of music she hasn't explored - and that's composing! Although, if you think her compositions might have a similar tone to her other four albums - well, I won't spoil it for you, but she lets us know in the episode. ;)
Jennifer King:
Website: https://www.jenniferkingpiano.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferkingpiano?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Cecilia Concerts Sensory Accessible Concerts
https://www.ceciliaconcerts.ca/sensory-accessible-concerts/?srsltid=AfmBOorQY9pqpJCBRZMU82-7AqeKnftfslcYgr6--CUcMZQ0j4Nz-Ain
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
0:00 Introduction
1:53 Where Jennifer’s Musical Journey Began
3:18 Finding the Piano
4:50 Early Days Learning the Piano
7:00 How Has Music Education Impacted Jennifer’s Life?
8:51 The Importance of Music Lessons in a Childs Development
9:50 Being a Proud Canadian
13:46 Becoming a Recording Artist
22:06 The Process of Making an Album
26:20 Souvenance - An Album of Music Written by Women
28:08 Reimagining Joni Mitchell
32:06 Don’t Record Something You Don’t Love
32:30 Trying to Get Women’s Work into Concert Halls
34:37 Balancing Performing with Motherhood
37:55 Collaboration as a Pianist
40:23 What Skills are required to be a good collaborator in music?
42:14 Cecelia Concerts Sensory Accessible Concerts
47:18 The Bessie Carruthers Study Club
49:20 Becoming Ethel Smyth
57:01 Becoming a Composer?
59:00 Advice for Pianists and Musicians
1:01:00 Favourite Piece by a Woman Composer
Cathryn Bell: From Actor to Film Composer
2026/03/02
On today’s episode, I’m joined by the wonderful multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Cathryn Bell. We talk about her journey as a composer and how she found her way into writing for the screen, as well as her favourite film scores and her creative process. We also dive into the lack of women in film composition and explore what can be done to better support and champion the next generation of women composers.
Cathryn Bell:
Website: https://www.cathrynbell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathrynbellofficial?igsh=MXE0Y2tqdnloc3Nwcw==
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@composer_storyteller?_r=1&_t=ZN-949sMoN8sBa
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ebo7AaKAjsW21wTpzYb8h?si=vpwe5NfwRsSYAFddNSguiQ
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/cathryn-bell/1645537539
The Lemon Cake Society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wb95lvlTyM
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Start of a Musical Journey
1:49 - Childhood Films that Inspired Her
3:18 - The Music She Listened to Growing Up
4:56 - Learning the Viola
5:36 - First Memories Writing Music
6:34 - A snippet of Cathryns first composition
7:55 - The Inspiration behind the piece
8:56 - Always putting story with music
9:09 - Compositional Journey
9:28 - Lack of Composer Role Models that were Women
10:32 - Training as An Actor
12:02 What being an actor taught her about writing music
13:00 - Where do the compositions start?
14:05 - What does the first few moments of writing a piece look like?
16:00 - How to decide what instrument a piece needs
16:39 - Life as a Film Composer
17:06 - How she got started writing for the screen
21:56 - A snippet from The Lemon Cake Society Score
23:30 - Making the Score for the Lemon Cake Society
26:24 - Collaboration
31:35 - From the Vault Film Scores?
32:12 - What you wish more directors knew about writing film music
34:36 - Where are all the women in film music?
34:59 - Have you been the only women in the room?
37:47 - What can we do to help women in film music?
41:21 - Advice for the next generation of women in music
43:17 - Favourite piece written by a woman
45:14 - Links to Social Media and Where to Find Her Work
✨New Episodes Every Monday✨
Let’s Get Social 📱
For more Classical Queens, follow us on:
Video Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ChordsandQueens
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr
Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens
Shea Lolin and Fiona Sweeney: Recording Chaminade’s Flute Concertino, the Power of Collaboration and Advice for Composers
2026/02/23
On today’s episode, I’m joined by conductor, producer, and performer Shea Lolin and flautist Fiona Sweeney to discuss their recent recording of the Flute Concertino by French composer Cécile Chaminade, featured on their new album Frisson. We explore the experience of recording the work, the importance of championing music by women composers, and share advice for emerging composers on the value of collaboration with musicians and conductors in bringing new pieces to life.
Shea Lolin:
https://www.shealolin.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shealolin/?hl=en
Fiona Sweeney:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionasweeney/
Cécile Chaminade Concertino, Op.107 – Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, Shea Lolin & Fiona Sweeney:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-98hwenshU
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