Conductor Elena Schwarz holds Claire Edwardes's hand up in the air in triumph in front of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Marking ten years of celebrating the music of female composers

Welcome to day one of the Festival of Female Composers, the biggest radio festival in the world dedicated to the women of classical music.

This is ABC Classic's tenth year of marking International Women's Day by championing the music of female composers.

In September 2015, when we tracked who composed the music being played on air, female composers received a share of just 2.2%.

In the 2024-25 financial year, music by female composers made up 15.7% of airtime on ABC Classic and 19% of overall tracks being played. We're on track to reach similar numbers in 2026.

This change has been the result of special events like our annual Festival of Female Composers, dedicated recording projects, and year-round programming uncovering exceptional music by women through history and today.

And of course the support of you, our listeners, who have opened your ears to embrace new favourites, whether that's Hildegard von Bingen or Holly Harrison.

Across 6–8 March, enjoy music by women on ABC Classic, including three "super concerts" compiling together live concert recordings showcasing remarkable female artists and music, a live studio performance by Swedish vocal quartet Åkervinda and more.

Find the full festival line up in our Guide to Listening.

Anna Lapwood smiles at camera. She wears a black, sequined blazer and her hair is in a long braid over her shoulder.

Organist Anna Lapwood

Some have dubbed social media star, Anna Lapwood, classical music's answer to Taylor Swift. Mairi Nicolson explores her life, inspirations and iconic recordings.

50 Classical Icons

Young Performers, including Isata Kanneh-Mason

Discover the best music performed by exciting young performers from Australia and around the world, including HIMARI, Isata Kanneh-Mason and more.

Young Performers

Person in a blue gown seated beside a piano, holding purple flowers against a white paneled wall.

Three men dressed in lab coats gathered around a desk looking at something.

Siobhan Stagg with Staatsoper Hamburg: The Dark Side of the Moon

Inspired by physicist Wolfgang Pauli and his relationship with the psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung, Unsuk Chin's second opera explores the nature of human frailty and dark dreams.

9pm, Saturday 7 March

Jazz legend Carmen McRae

Carmen McRae, known as 'the singers' singer', was one of the most revered vocalists of her era, largely thanks to her wit and charm behind the mic.

Jazz Legends

Young Performers Awards 2026, image of a piano

Do you know Australia’s next big star in classical music?

Entries are now open for the 2026 ABC Young Performers Awards. Across three high-stakes rounds, this career-launching competition will uncover Australia's most exceptional young instrumentalists, culminating in a spectacular Grand Final performance at the Sydney Opera House, which will be televised on ABC TV and broadcast on ABC Classic.

Find out more

What's On: Live performances of music by women around Australia

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Alice Keath checks out some of the most exciting performances of music by women around the country this year.

5pm, Sunday 8 March

A young woman in a black coat with wavy hair blowing in her face, facing the camera and not smiling.