All sixth through eighth grade students including those from St. Joseph and local homeschoolers attended one of two performances at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The program was started by the founders of Warren County Summer Music School but had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Denise Pearson, current Warren County Summer Music School director, contacted Penn State last year to reinstate the program.

“We are thankful for the use of the beautiful and historic Struthers Library Theatre and the cooperation of the WCSD so that these students could experience live music by professional musicians,” Pearson said.

The featured performers, Ion Sound Project from Pittsburgh, an orchestral trio consisting of a pianist, cellist, and clarinetist, captivated the young audience with their unique program titled “Sheroes.” The performance opened with a thought-provoking question: “Who is your favorite Marvel superhero?” After students shared their favorites, the trio highlighted the limited number of female superheroes and compared it to the underrepresentation of female composers in symphonic music.

Photo submitted by Struthers Library Theatre Pittsburgh's IonSound Project performs its 'Sheroes' program at the Struthers Library Theatre for Warren County students in sixth through eighth grades.

They then showcased pieces by historical and extraordinary female composers, celebrating their contributions to the music world. The trio covered the history and culture behind the pieces they chose for the performance.

Among the featured composers was Margaret Bonds, the first Black American to perform as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of 20 in 1933.

Another highlighted composer was Louise Farrenc, a renowned concert pianist in the 1830s who 1842 became the only woman appointed as a professor at the Paris Conservatory during the 19th century.

Despite earning a reputation as one of Europe’s greatest piano professors, she was paid less than her male colleagues and fought for nearly a decade for equal pay. After the successful premiere of her nonet, she renewed her demand for equality and won, securing the same salary as her male counterparts.

With International Women’s Day approaching on March 8, the program’s message about recognizing and uplifting female voices in music was especially timely and impactful.

“For some students, this may be their only opportunity to see a live performance in this venue,” said Michelle Belleau of the summer music school.