Celebrating Pride Month

Since June is Pride Month in Canada, it’s the perfect time to highlight some 2SLGBTQI+ composers who have made notable contributions to the world of classical music.

Here are three composers who reflect the rich diversity within the queer community. Their music speaks to identity, connection, and creativity, offering new ways of hearing and thinking about classical music. I encourage you to explore and discover more 2SLGBTQI+ composers throughout the month of June.

Julius Eastman was a groundbreaking American composer, pianist, vocalist and dancer whose work combined minimalism with provocative social commentary.

Eastman challenged conventions with compositions like Stay on it, that boldly addressed issues of race, sexuality, and identity.

A pioneer in the classical and electronic music worlds, Wendy Carlos is a trans composer whose popular album Switched-On Bach (1968) introduced mainstream audiences to the sound of the Moog synthesizer. She went on to compose soundtracks to The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, and Disney’s Tron.

The JUNO-nominated Cree-Mennonite cellist and composer, from Northern Alberta, is renowned for her innovative fusion of classical, Indigenous, and electronic music. Through her work, Derksen continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of classical music, making it more inclusive of diverse cultural narratives.

Russell Kunz (he/him) is the Education and Community Coordinator for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Born and raised in Winnipeg, he studied music and education at the University of Manitoba and is proud to be part of the WSO team.