Composer Concerts (Sybil Westendorp Foundation)

The Sybil Westendorp Foundation supports a concert series in North Rhine-Westphalia that strengthens the presence of women in the music world through rarely performed works by female composers. Under the umbrella of the "Composers’ Concerts," regular performances are held at the historic Nicolaihaus and other venues in Unna. The program spans from classical music to contemporary and avant-garde sound art, as well as jazz, chanson, and folk. Public institutions can continuously submit applications to support the conceptual design and artistic execution. The goal is to make forgotten or newly discovered compositions accessible to a broad audience and to enhance their appreciation.

Interested organizers, ensembles, and cultural actors from the Unna region benefit from sponsorship that is continuously available. The series is realized in close cooperation with the Office for Culture and Continuing Education of the district town of Unna, as well as local partners such as the Protestant parish, the Cultural Association of Unna’s Economy e.V., and the archive ausZeiten Bochum e.V. The continuation of the concert series offers the opportunity to bring unheard voices of female composers into the spotlight and to provide impulses for cultural exchange in the region. Applications can be submitted at any time; the selection process is based on artistic quality and the contribution to gender equality in the musical landscape.