Leon W. Couch III, faculty contact person
Although women have been actively composing and performing music throughout history,
traditional Western music studies rarely include their contributions. I wish to introduce the area
of women's music to Luther College's music faculty and students through a short festival devoted
to this topic (November 18-22). I will invite two prominent scholars in the field: Dr. Miriam Zach
(Univ. of Florida) and Dr. Bonnie Miksch (Mercer Univ.). They will present lectures and
concerts, but mostly they will engage students in discussions and coach performers in this less
familiar repertory. I have been impressed by these scholars' research and also wish to learn from
them during their visit.
The musicologist Dr. Zach will not only introduce repertory by women to our faculty and
students, but also will provide a critical underpinning of current feminist thought in musicology.
This goal will be accomplished in three lectures and visits to classrooms for more discussion.
The composer Dr. Miksch will provide a composition masterclass, discuss the state of women in
the composition field nowadays (one lecture), and provide a role model for women students. She
will also engage students in private composition lessons.
Both Dr. Zach and Dr. Miksch will coach students who will perform women's compositions on
three weekend concerts. Prior to the festival, our own faculty, Jessica Paul and Melissa Malde,
will prepare students with works after 1750 (Nov. 20 at 7:30 PM). Under my direction, the
Collegium Musicum will present compositions written by women before 1750 during our Fall
concert (Nov. 21 at 4 PM). Dr. Zach's expertise will be invaluable here because of her
involvement in early music while Dr. Miksch will aid students with interpretation of challenging
twentieth century works.
With the current faculty and the two visiting experts, I hope to inspire both students and faculty to
consider performing and teaching women's works. This festival may also cause musicians to
reevaluate their beliefs and recognize forces that have and continue to affect women in the
conservative field of music.