Philadelphia Music Camp Opens Doors to Women, Transgender and Non-Binary Composers

This summer, 16 young composers spent two weeks on Temple University’s campus, where they will be able to work on their original musical works and receive hands-on training.

Wildflower Festival: A Platform for Creativity and Support for LGBTQ Composers

The Wildflower Composers Festival, now in its sixth year, is an educational program designed for women, transgender and non-binary composers. In the program, participants learned from music teachers who also identify as women, transgender, or nonbinary. The program concluded with a world premiere concert at the Rock Hall Auditorium on the campus of Temple University.

Clover Drake, a 16-year-old composer from Washington who identifies as nonbinary, said the environment fosters creative freedom.

“It really helps to be yourself,” Drake shared. “I know it may sound cliché, but being able to connect with others, having shared experiences, and not being judged makes the creative process so much easier.”

On Wednesday, pianist Hanchien Lee spoke to students, dissecting the works of Mozart and other great composers, which Drake said was very useful.

“She was able to imbue this inanimate object with human emotion,” Drake said of Lee’s performance. “I write for piano, so I was just thinking about what different techniques I could use, like dynamic changes and working with different arpeggios.”

According to a recent Doone Women in music report in the 2023–2024 concert season. only 7.5% of the music performed by the world’s orchestras was written by women.

That’s why Wildflower founder and executive director, composer and cellist Erin Bush, founded the festival.

“Coming from my own experience growing up, being the only girl in the space,” Bush said. “I really missed having peers and a community and mentors that looked like me, and so I wanted to create this space for the next generation.”

Now young composers like 16-year-old Madeleine Reed have someone to look up to. Reed brought her original composition for cello to the camp.

“Now I’m looking forward to getting more advice from the industry and learning how to actually earn commissions… and how it can be made a reality,” Reed said.

By the end of the program, students had the opportunity to record their compositions with the help of professional musicians such as Lee.

“It’s an amazing team-building experience, and students get an amazing record that they can also use when applying to college,” Bush said.

Bush could only dream of such an experience as a young girl.

“I think it would completely change the way I think about myself as a composer,” she said. “Just knowing that there are other people out there would mean the world to me… knowing that there is a place for me.”

From idea to inspiration: how Wildflower became a symbol of revolution in the music industry

Born as an initiative to support and develop talent among female, trans and non-binary composers, Wildflower Festival has come a long way since its inception. Inspired by the need to create an inclusive space for talented music creators, the festival began six years ago when its founder, composer and cellist Erin Bush, recognized the lack of representation in the music industry for such groups.

The idea for Wildflower grew out of Bush’s personal experiences as an only girl in music circles, seeking to find a community and mentors with whom she could share her experiences and aspirations. This personal experience motivated her to create a festival that would provide a platform for those who are often left on the fringes of the music world.

Since its first year, Wildflower has strived to not only create opportunities for participants to showcase their original creations, but also to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills that could help them further their careers. The festival offers participants a two-week hands-on program where they receive mentorship from established professionals who are themselves part of the LGBTQ community.

Each summer, young composers gather on Temple University’s Philadelphia campus to participate in educational seminars, master classes, and workshops. Participants have the opportunity to work on their compositions under the guidance of experts such as pianist Hanchien Lee, and conclude the program with a world premiere concert. This final concert represents the culmination of all efforts and achievements, demonstrating the fruitful work and creativity of each participant.

Throughout its history, Wildflower has constantly expanded its horizons and attracted more and more talented composers. Not only has the festival been a milestone in the careers of countless young musicians, but it has also become a symbol of growth and change in the music industry, providing essential resources and support for those looking to make their voices heard.