The Boulanger Initiative Announces WoCo Festival 2025 Program

A WorldPride Partner event, the festival will return in May 2025 in a program featuring LGBTQ+ and allied artists and ensembles

The Boulanger Initiative (BI) is a nonprofit advocating for women and all gender-marginalized composers by promoting music composed by women through performance, education, research, consulting, and commissions. 

This year, the BI’s two-day WoCo Fest 2025: Uplift, co-presented by Strathmore, is an official WorldPride Partner Event. It will be held at The Mansion, Strathmore, from May 30–31, 2025. 

Now in its seventh edition, the festival will showcase LGBTQ+ and allied artists and ensembles in works written by women and gender-marginalized composers, live composer workshops (including with Boyd Meets Girl), galleries, and more.

Performances will include those from the Marcolivia Duo, Chao Tian, the PUBLIQuartet, Drag artist Tara Hoot, the National LGBTQIA+ Flute Choir, and the International Pride Orchestra Brass Ensemble. 

More artists include Ami Dang, District5, New Choir of Mt. Vernon, The Alex Hamburger Quartet, and Leah Claiborne, Seraph Brass, Tapestry, and Pamela Z, who will close out the festival. 

Additionally, the composer, pianist, and accordionist Simone Baron will be honoring the lives and memories of the late composer Sofia Gubaidulina and the Baltimore-based composer, improviser, and pedal steel guitarist, Susan Alcorn.

“In the face of hate, we affirm. In the face of oppression, we UPLIFT. In the face of those who want us gone, we are louder than ever,” expressed Laura Colgate, BI’s co-founder and executive and artistic director. “This year, we are thrilled and honored to be an official World Pride Partner Event. Join us for WoCo Fest 2025: Uplift, so that together we can support, celebrate, and show that everyone in our community is heard and celebrated.” 

For more information and to attend WoCo Fest 2025: Uplift, click here. Tickets are also available on a pay-what-you-can basis; outdoor performances are free and open to all. 

Other initiatives by the BI have included a new orchestral curriculum by female composers and a database for underrepresented composers.