Gemma New Featured on NBC Dallas Fort-Worth
Gemma New at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Women in Classical Music Symposium (Photo credit: Sylvia Elzafon)
Dallas is the Epicenter of Opportunity for Women in Classical Music
By Kimberly Richard
NBC Dallas Fort-Worth
November 21, 2019
At The Dallas Opera and Dallas Symphony Orchestra, breaking the glass ceiling has never sounded more beautiful. In early November, the opera company’s Hart Institute for Women Conductors overlapped with the orchestra’s Women in Classical Music Symposium, making Dallas the mecca for women looking for professional development in the traditionally male-dominated classical music industry.
At the Meyerson Symphony Center, participants in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural Women in Classical Music Symposium watch Gemma New, the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor, conduct during an open rehearsal. The New Zealand native is currently Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the St. Louis Youth Orchestra.
Like Russell, she was drawn to the classical music at a young age, playing violin at age five and performing with a school orchestra at age nine. “I fell in love with that orchestral sound and also just the phenomenon of the orchestra: the idea of players coming together,” New said. “We create something beautiful and powerful that can only be done by people unifying.”
New first conducted her school’s orchestra at age 15 when the orchestra was planning a surprise performance for a departing teacher. “I just realized immediately that I loved looking at everyone’s part and understanding how they came together. I loved communicating and connecting with all of the musicians and that conversation and that brainstorming about how we could play this better,” New said.
Following the open rehearsal, New participated in one of the symposium’s panels. The panelists discussed issues ranging from the traditions of the industry, the unrealistic concept of work/life balance, education options, networking opportunities and the importance of mentors. “It’s relevant to have this discussion in the classical music field and I think when we come together to share ideas, we’re going to come up with better ways to build our orchestras,” New said.
One of the pieces on New’s debut concert with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is Salina Fisher’s “Rainphase.” The piece is inspired by New’s hometown of Wellington, New Zealand, the windiest city in the world. “You can hear wind and all the different droplets and gusts and the flowing rivers down the streets. It’s a beautiful work and the way she makes the orchestra sound is unique to her,” New said.
Committed to new music, New suggests pieces by female composers for concerts she conducts. It is an example of women in leadership positions advocating for other women in the industry and helping orchestras nervous about taking a risk on a female composer.
“This is a business where it’s who you know. And what is a risk? That’s what I’d like to ask. Is it really a risk to program a work by a female composer? No, not at all. People are going to hear the music,” New said. “What does equality mean? It means equality of opportunity and equality of consideration and I try to uphold that in my work.”
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