Chords and Queens

Chords and Queens

Hello and welcome to Chords & Queens, the podcast that uncovers the untold stories of the world’s most captivating female composers—with a fresh, modern twist! Every week, we shine a spotlight on a trailblazing woman who reshaped the world of music, diving into her life, her legacy, and the timeless sounds she brought to the world. Hosted by composer and multi instrumentalist Jennifer Athan. Let’s get social! Instagram - @ChordsandQueens TikTok - @ChordsandQueens

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    Cathryn Bell: From Actor to Film Composer

    On today’s episode, I’m joined by the wonderful multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Cathryn Bell. We talk about her journey as a composer and how she found her way into writing for the screen, as well as her favourite film scores and her creative process. We also dive into the lack of women in film composition and explore what can be done to better support and champion the next generation of women composers. Cathryn Bell:  Website: https://www.cathrynbell.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathrynbellofficial?igsh=MXE0Y2tqdnloc3Nwcw== Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@composer_storyteller?_r=1&_t=ZN-949sMoN8sBa Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ebo7AaKAjsW21wTpzYb8h?si=vpwe5NfwRsSYAFddNSguiQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/cathryn-bell/1645537539 The Lemon Cake Society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wb95lvlTyM 00:00 - Introduction  00:57 - Start of a Musical Journey  1:49 - Childhood Films that Inspired Her  3:18 - The Music She Listened to Growing Up 4:56 - Learning the Viola  5:36 - First Memories Writing Music  6:34 - A snippet of Cathryns first composition  7:55 - The Inspiration behind the piece  8:56 - Always putting story with music  9:09 - Compositional Journey  9:28 - Lack of Composer Role Models that were Women  10:32 - Training as An Actor  12:02 What being an actor taught her about writing music  13:00 - Where do the compositions start?  14:05 - What does the first few moments of writing a piece look like?  16:00 - How to decide what instrument a piece needs  16:39 - Life as a Film Composer  17:06 - How she got started writing for the screen  21:56 - A snippet from The Lemon Cake Society Score  23:30 - Making the Score for the Lemon Cake Society  26:24 - Collaboration  31:35 - From the Vault Film Scores?  32:12 - What you wish more directors knew about writing film music 34:36 - Where are all the women in film music?  34:59 - Have you been the only women in the room?  37:47 - What can we do to help women in film music?  41:21 - Advice for the next generation of women in music  43:17 - Favourite piece written by a woman  45:14 - Links to Social Media and Where to Find Her Work  ✨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

    46 min
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    Amy Schumaker Bliss: Euphonium, Education, and Elevating Women in Brass

    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

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Hello and welcome to Chords & Queens, the podcast that uncovers the untold stories of the world’s most captivating female composers—with a fresh, modern twist! Every week, we shine a spotlight on a trailblazing woman who reshaped the world of music, diving into her life, her legacy, and the timeless sounds she brought to the world. Hosted by composer and multi instrumentalist Jennifer Athan. Let’s get social! Instagram - @ChordsandQueens TikTok - @ChordsandQueens