DONNE, WOMEN IN MUSIC CREATES EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION AWARD TO RECOGNIZE WHO ARE THE CHANGE MAKERS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC

The recognition creates and opportunity for audiences to follow what their favourite orchestras are doing to make the classical music world more diverse and inclusive

Donne, Women in Music – a foundation dedicated to achieving gender equality in the music industry has launched their new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award to acknowledge orchestras that are making a significant contribution to make the classical musical world more inclusive.

The desire to reward positive change came after the shocking news presented on their latest report, which shows that almost 9 IN 10 PIECES PLAYED BY ORCHESTRAS AROUND THE WORLD ARE WRITTEN BY WHITE MEN.

To earn the EDI Champions Award the orchestra needs to present a concert season that includes
at least 50% of works written by women composers as well as showing a strong commitment towards diversity.

Out of the 111 international renowned orchestras present on Donne’s 2022 report, the Chicago Sinfonietta was the only one to reach the criteria.

Soprano Gabriella Di Laccio, founder of the Donne Foundation says: 

“I am delighted to present this award to the Chicago Sinfonietta and their Music Director Mei Ann-Chen. Their motto is to be innovative, bold, and inclusive and they are the real evidence of what can be done to improve diversity and equality! I hope many will follow their incredible inspiration."

Maestra Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta Says:

"The Chicago Sinfonietta has been a pioneering force championing musicians of colour and women for years, and it is especially wonderful when such efforts are recognized officially. Special thanks to the hard work of Gabriella Di Laccio and Donne, Women in Music for its contribution collecting repertoire done by orchestras and especially for its inaugural EDI Champions Award."

The National Philharmonic, London Contemporary Orchestra and Chineke! Orchestra have also received the Highly Commended 2022 Award.

National Philharmonic presented a season that featured 40.5% of works by women; the London Contemporary Orchestra with 38.5% works by women, and the Chineke! Orchestra presented a season with over 60% of music written by composers from the global majority.

The EDI champions and Highly Commended awards will help audiences to identify orchestras around the world that are really committed to supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion in music.

Gabriella Di Laccio adds:

“We hope this award will help audiences and current sponsors to pay attention on who is consistently working to create a more inclusive musical world and that they will support them.

Instead of being fearful of not selling tickets to their current concert goers, we hope orchestras around the world will be excited with the opportunity to increase their audiences by bringing in thousands of music lovers who have been kept out of the ‘privileged’ world of classical music for far too long.”

ABOUT DONNE, WOMEN IN MUSIC
Donne, Women in Music is a charitable foundation dedicated to achieving gender equality in the music industry. We are here to connect and empower anyone who identifies as a woman in order to create a more equitable music industry.

An international organisation, Donne provides, completely free, the most comprehensive online databases especially dedicated to women composers globally, which continues to grow as more talent is fostered and unearthed. More than 5000 women so far.

OUR VISION: A world of musical equality where gender is irrelevant, where women are seen, heard and appreciated for their talent, creating a legacy of inspiration for future generations.

OUR FOUNDER: Listed as one of the BBC’s 100 most inspirational and influential women in the world, multi award-winning soprano Gabriella Di Laccio is the inspirational driving force behind the Donne Foundation, spearheading the drive to equality for women in music globally.

Donne on the press: https://donne-uk.org/press/

• THE IMPACT SO FAR:
  Donne provides the most comprehensive online databases especially dedicated to women composers globally, which continues to grow as more talent is fostered and unearthed. More than 5000 women so far;
• Our free multimedia resources are used by organisations, educators and performers all over the world;
• Through our partnership with Scala Radio UK, 30 women were introduced to listeners for the first time in 2021 and in January 2022 they launched a the first ever Radio Station dedicated to Women Composers, as part of their ongoing partnership with Donne, Women in Music;
• In November 2021 we became exclusive curators for Apple Music. We are the only classical music curators focusing on gender equality;
• 5 new albums featuring only music by women have been produced.
• 85 new works by women composers have been recorded;
• 10 new commissions by women have been funded;
• Young women have received free mentoring.

Would you like to be a driver for positive change? JOIN US! 

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Website: https://donne-uk.org

ABOUT CHICAGO SINFONIETTA

A tenured orchestra and acclaimed cultural leader that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating community through curated symphonic experiences, Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) is a source of community through music, as well as ensuring and inspiring a continued investment in diversity and inclusivity in the genre of classical music to promote fairness and equity. Recognized as groundbreaking, dynamic and daring, with core values built around being culturally responsive and advocates of inclusivity in all aspects of the 35-year-old organization’s work, Chicago Sinfonietta’s unrelenting commitment to being at the forefront of innovation drives its high standard of symphonic experiences. CS takes pride in leading by example with immersive audience engagement activities, impactful career development, education, and extensive community outreach programs.

Chicago Sinfonietta's progressive board is over 50 % female, almost 50% Black, almost 10% Latino, and 11 % Asian, and has an Associate Board that is equally diverse. www.chicagosinfonietta.org

For more information, and interviews request please contact:

Louise Gardner
Email: louise@donne-uk.org

Gabriella Di Laccio
Email: gabriella@gabrielladilaccio.com
Mob: +44 (0) 7904 189821