Women composers’ work is underrecognized and underperformed, says Amanda Virelles. In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Virelles and fellow musicians with the chamber quartet Camellia Camerata will perform selections from a variety of cultural backgrounds and artistic perspectives—all composed by women.
Virelles says Camellia Camerata’s mission is “to foster a vibrant musical community that engages audiences, nurtures talent, and enriches lives through chamber music performance and education.” Their careful curation extends beyond concerts and into outreach initiatives and educational activities. Through these events, they hope attendees will enjoy meaningful artistic experiences and stronger connections within their community.
Their March 8 concert will do just that. Virelles says the program will feature works in a variety of instrumental configurations with Camellia Camerata’s four core musicians—Carlos Castilla, Holland Phillips, Megan Kenny and Virelles—performing in duets, trios, and quartet settings. “This range of ensemble combinations allows each performer to shine individually while also showcasing the group’s dynamic chemistry and versatility,” said Virelles. “By alternating between more intimate pairings and the full quartet, the concert offers a rich and engaging listening experience.”
The evening will be shaped by a range of expressive moods, according to Virelles. Some selections are lyrical and introspective, while others are bold and virtuosic. The entertaining and stylistically varied program is designed to connect the past with the present.
“By including music from earlier centuries alongside works by living composers, we aim to create a thoughtful dialogue between past and present, honoring tradition while also celebrating the vitality of contemporary creativity,” Virelles explained.
They will be performing music by Grazyna Bacewicz, Lili Boulanger, Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, Nadia Borislova, Clara Schumann, and Ethel Smyth.
“Their works reflect a remarkable diversity of voices, cultural backgrounds, and artistic perspectives,” Virelles said of the composers, whose work spans the Baroque era to the present day.
Reflecting on the opportunity to perform works composed by women, Virelles said, “These works are powerful, distinctive, and deeply expressive, yet they are rarely performed on today’s concert stages.”
She says they’re part of a global effort to bring the music of women composers to the forefront in a traditionally male-dominated field.
“By programming their music, we aim to help broaden the repertoire, enrich the concert experience, and contribute to a more inclusive and representative musical tradition.”
While their March 8 concert marks Camellia Camerata’s inaugural performance, it marks only the beginning of a year-long concert line-up. They are currently developing a new lunchtime concert series, which Virelles says is designed to make live chamber music more accessible to busy professionals, students and families. Additionally, they will present their first Chamber Music Festival May 1-3.
Join Camellia Camerata on March 8 at 3 p.m. at Haymount United Methodist Church for a concert featuring rich and powerful music by women composers. For more information, visit https://www.camelliacamerata.org/
“It is both a privilege and a joy to share this music,” said Virelles, “we look forward to offering our listeners a program that is inspiring, thought-provoking, and celebratory.”