Welcome to Lili’s Corner

Hello one and all!

Welcome to our very first iteration of Boulanger Initiative’s brand new blog series, Lili’s Corner! We are so very thrilled to be opening this new avenue for sharing all things women and gender-marginalized composers and musicians, titled after one our namesakes, Lili Boulanger. In these virtual pages, BI staff, interns, and affiliated scholars will share their wealth of knowledge regarding composers found in the database, special topics in music, book and album reviews, virtual and in-person event highlights, and much, much more.

At the time of this writing, our database currently contains references to more than 16,000 pieces of music by over 1,600 composers, and in our composer features we’re going to give you the grand tour of those whose names you do not yet know. We’ll expand beyond Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, and Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel into the worlds of composers like Rosalina Abejo, Avril Coleridge-Taylor, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Radie Britain, and the thousands of others who deserve their turn in the spotlight. 

It is clear that we must continue to advocate for marginalized composers for them to continue appearing on our stages, in our classrooms, and even in our own personal listening practices. Without continued learning and curiosity, we run the risk of losing the voices of so many skilled artists who create(d) excellent works. You never know; your next favorite piece of music may be waiting just around the corner! 

Thank you for joining us here at Lili’s Corner, and we look forward to sharing the exciting posts we have lined up for you! 

Dr. Caiti Beth McKinney, Boulanger Initiative Research Manager