Advertise on podcast: Chords and Queens

On today’s podcast, we’re joined by the wonderful performer, writer, and educator Dr. Amy Schumaker Bliss. We explore her journey playing the euphonium, her experiences navigating sexism as a brass player, and her career as both a teacher and performer with the likes of the Athena Brass Band. Amy also shares the inspiration behind her children’s book Amy’s Brass Band and discusses the meaningful ways we can support more women entering the brass world whether that be as performers, composers or audience members. Amy’s Website: https://www.amybliss.netInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyschumakerbliss/?hl=en-gbMentioned in the Episode: Level Up - Charlie Drew Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHvHuMfXaFEFaustbuch - Elizabeth Raum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3e0UcI-HeYLuminaires - Lucy Pankhurst https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKmKaOFtLJEInspired by Blue - Andrea Robinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmrmNHFve3ERock Hopper - Gail Robertson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5cDvlAMna4Woman - Esther Abrami https://youtu.be/zamyJwH7K3c?si=4TWdXvKJK-q9IL95Books: Voices for Change In The Classical Music Profession: https://academic.oup.com/book/45618Composing Herself: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Composing-Herself-Before-Allowed-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0FXSBK3NJBlogs / Online Resources: Its Not a Trumpet Blog https://www.itsnotatrumpet.comThe Boulanger Initiative: https://www.boulangerinitiative.orgThe Institute For Composer Diversity: https://www.composerdiversity.comInternational Women Brass Conference: https://myiwbc.orgDiversify the Stand: https://www.diversifythestand.orgBrass Music Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5qOSlIyoFaUkuF3HtEXUJz?si=1qbEoq1VTymymxSLrWObugComposers: Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen: https://www.ingebjorgvilhelmsen.com✨New Episodes Every Monday✨Let’s Get Social 📱For more Classical Queens, follow us on: TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@chordsandqueens⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chordsandqueens?igsh=eGlkYWgyN3hmMnhm&utm_source=qr⁠ Substack: https://substack.com/@chordsqueens

On today’s episode we recap some of my favourite books and music of 2025. From learning about the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz to listening to the classical pop takeover, I share with you my thoughts and findings on some of my favourite artistic finds of the year.  ✨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

I’m so honoured to be joined by Katie Rowan, founder of the Ina Boyle Society and a relative of the remarkable Irish composer Ina Boyle. Katie shares the story behind the creation of the Society, the inspiration that drives its work, and reflects on Ina’s music and enduring legacy. We also look ahead to what’s next for Ina Boyle’s music, and discuss how we can all support the Society and help shape a stronger future for women composers in Ireland and beyond.  The Ina Boyle Society:  https://www.inaboyle.org Ina Boyle Songbook:  https://www.chimesmusic.com/Products/selected-songs-5.html Ina Boyle Biography:  https://www.inaboyle.org/new-page-2  ✨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

In this episode, we dive into why orchestras and baroque drama seem to be appearing in the pop charts. From Rosalía’s hit album ‘LUX’ to Charli XCX’s track for the Wuthering Heights film ‘House’, we unpack how classical sounds are sneaking back into the charts and are listeners craving something more “human”? Is this revival a reaction against the polished AI-generated music we’ve been hearing more recently?  🎵Recommended Listening:  Laufey: Proof that Classical Music Still Speaks to Gen Z https://youtu.be/QHqH3AVWHOU?si=UUCGtj885fpifpRo Rosalía - Berghain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htQBS2Ikz6c Charli XCX - House  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgp7wlBfASA ✨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

EDIT: Ina's only opera, Maudlin of Paplewick, was completed in 1964 (not 1966) and is set to a libretto by Ben Jonson (not Edith Somerville). In this episode, we uncover the life and work of Ina Boyle (1889–1967), one of Ireland’s most remarkable composers. Living most of her life in the quiet countryside, Boyle composed symphonies, choral works, and chamber music at a time when few women were recognised in classical music. Join us as we explore how Boyle’s resilience, artistry, and devotion to her craft helped shape Irish classical music, and why her music deserves to be heard today. 🎵Recommended Listening: Symphony No.1 Glencree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_n34JV5aGAConcerto for Violin and Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFAd9Xst1wg Elegy for Cello and Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oixze9lvhtcThe Magic Harphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5N9vKoX66w✨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/@chordsqueens

In this episode, we explore the remarkable life of Nobu Kōda (1870–1946). Essentially Japan’s first composer to write in the Western classical style and one of the earliest Japanese musicians to study abroad. Born during the Meiji Restoration, a time when women were expected to become “good wives and wise mothers,” Kōda defied convention to study music in Boston and Vienna, bringing Western traditions back to Japan and transforming its musical landscape. From teaching the future creator of the Suzuki Method to breaking barriers as a performer and educator, Kōda’s story is one of courage, innovation, and quiet revolution.  ✨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

On today's episode we highlight the remarkable life of Croatian composer Dora Pejačević, from her aristocratic upbringing to her most defining musical achievements. Perhaps we playfully argue that her mix of talent, rebellion, and rich personal story makes her worthy of Disney level fame. Symphony in F Sharp Minor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=940dNX5zHEU ✨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.

On todays episode we uncover the stories of the first female conductors - Josephine Amann-Weinlich and Antonia Brico -  the first women to break onto the conductor’s podium in a world that said they didn’t belong there. From all female orchestras to historic debuts, this episode uncovers the grit, genius, and resilience that helped change classical music forever. Antonia Brico: Portrait of a Woman Documentary (2022 Restoration) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHE9lLjUpuM&t=1s ✨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

Ruth Gipps was a composer, conductor, and musician of exception skill and talent. In this episode, we uncover the life of a prodigy turned trailblazer who battled sexism and the changing musical fashions to forge her own path. From her lush, lyrical symphonies to her fierce determination as a conductor, Ruth was often branded difficult, but maybe she was just misunderstood?  ✨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

In this episode, we look at the extraordinary career of trumpet soloist Alison Balsom and the announcement of her retirement in 2025. From breaking barriers in the brass world to inspiring a new generation of musicians, Alison’s legacy is undeniable - but does the media’s response to her retirement reveal how sexism still shapes the way female musicians are portrayed?  The Brass Ceiling Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUA62xbanLE Alison Balsom on the Trumpet Concerto of Wynton Marsalis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx_umf4Mc5I ✨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

In today’s episode, we explore how the immensely talented artist Laufey is reinventing what it means to be classically trained. From her viral rise on TikTok to her Grammy-winning album Bewitched and her latest release A Matter of Time, Laufey proves that classical roots can thrive far beyond the concert hall. This episode unpacks her story, her music, and her role in inspiring a new generation to see classical training not as a cage, but as a foundation for limitless creativity. Articles Referenced: The Day the Music Dies? Why time is running out to tackle the decline in UK music educationhttps://www.rncm.ac.uk/news/the-day-the-music-dies-why-time-is-running-out-to-tackle-the-decline-in-uk-music-education/ Nicola Benedetti: ‘Classical music is threatened by young people’s lack of basic discipline’https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/nicola-benedetti-interview/ ✨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

In this episode, we step into the vibrant world of Errollyn Wallen. The pioneering Belize-born British composer whose music blurs the lines between classical, jazz, and popular music, We explore the twists and turns of her remarkable journey, from studying dance to becoming the first Black woman to have her work performed at the Proms, to becoming Master of the Kings Music. We explore her creative process, her inspiration for some of her greatest works, and why sometimes the best way to start a day is with cake for breakfast! ✨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

In today’s episode, we’re diving into four hauntingly beautiful works by female composers. Setting you up for the perfect spooky playlist - just in time for Autumn. Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZRPsVhWnjw&list=PLFdg885z67oCu7p-c-sNoT4TdgvxQubGj&pp=gAQBIndividual Pieces Photography: III. — Errollyn Wallen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZRPsVhWnjwCaroline Shaw The Observatory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqMK-eeO9nQDelia Derbyshire - Depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQEYdgY2M8UAnna Thorvaldsdottir - Ubique XI - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBkN-_E7sNo&list=OLAK5uy_nEpEfzlpI3qB9dxuU1NcbxM4XDP4f7ZIs&index=11✨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/@chordsqueens

Avril Coleridge-Taylor carved her own path in the world of classical music. From her groundbreaking role as one of Britain’s few prominent female conductors to her rich, overlooked compositions, Avril’s story is one of talent, resilience, and quiet rebellion. This podcast uncovers her music, her mental health struggles and the legacy she fought to leave behind.  Sussex Landscape by Chineke! Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbT5NCaVgm0 PDF Catalogue of work by Avril Coleridge Taylor: https://leahbroad.substack.com/p/cataloguing-avril-coleridge-taylor  ✨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

Dive into the extraordinary life of Nadia Boulanger. Composer, conductor, and legendary teacher to some of the 20th century’s greatest musicians. From falling in love with the sound of fire bells to her deep bond with her sister Lili, this episode explores how Nadia shaped the sound of modern music while redefining what it meant to lead, teach, and inspire. ✨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