Special Events
Gretchen Anthony Musicale
The Gretchen Anthony Musicale is an annual Spring event that gives DCFMC members an opportunity to perform in an intimate setting. The Musicale is held in a different member's home each year, and showcases the diverse talents of our membership. Named for the late Gretchen Anthony, who was active as president, and instrumental in encouraging performance, the Musicale has become another unique offering of the DCFMC.
Senior American Women Composers
The NFMC sponsors an annual contest for Senior American Women Composers. The purpose of the Women Composers Program Award is to stimulate appreciation and knowledge of music by American Women Composers and to encourage its performance by solo artists, performing groupsstudents. Each of the 14 NFMC districts awards a prize of $70 for the winning performance of a program by women composers. The DCFMC Senior American Women Composers have won the national award for several consecutive years.
Parade of American Music
Along with American Music Month every November, the Parade of American Music is a national program that supports American composers, provides opportunities for the performance of their music, and widens public awareness of the American repertoire and NFMC members in active research and performance of American music. The program presented by the DC Federation will take place in November at the Strathmore Arts Center in Rockville, Maryland.
Collaborative Music Workshop
Past workshops have included a composer/student/teacher workshop where students of DCFMC teachers performed works of DCFMC composers with discussion about the composing process, including teacher input on how they approached the pieces, and students' own insights on what they gained from the experience. Future collaborative workshops include voice, piano, and instrumental chamber music.
Opera-tunities
Opera-tunities promotes study and performance opportunities in voice for talented students and seasoned performers. Membership is open to anyone interested in opera ensemble, and pianists are encouraged to participate. Performance opportunities are offered throughout the year.
National Music Week
The aim of National Music Week, held the first full week in May, is to make music “welcome everywhere in the world among all human beings in a spirit of exchange and harmony.” In March, the DCFMC commemorates National Music Week with a special program at a school in Washington for DC school children, held in March to accommodate the school system’s schedule.
