Violin, viola, and piano players combined to perform music written by women composers during an annual concert on Friday.

Elaine Fine, a local violinist and viola player, John David Moore, a professor of English and a pianist, and Sharilyn Spicknall, a professor of music at Indiana State University and a violinist, performed together during the annual Concert of Women’s Music for Women’s History and Awareness Month.

The performance titled “An Evening of Chamber Music by British, German, and American Women”, presented the works of five women composers, including Fine.

The pieces played include “Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 34” by Amy Beach, “Skye Boat Fantasie” by Fine, “Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 22” by Marion Bauer,

“3 Stucke fur Viola und Klavier, Op. 26” by Luise Adolpha Le Beau, and “Dumka: Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola with Piano” by Rebecca Clarke.

Fine said she hopes to show that women can write music as well as men.

“There are great pieces of music the women have written, great pieces that men have written and it’s wonderful to have the chance to play the concert for Women’s History and Awareness Month,” Fine said. “In no uncertain terms women can write really strong, worthwhile music.

Theresa Harrison, a Mattoon resident, said she thought the idea of playing only women composers was empowering.

“Power to the women,” Theresa Harrison said.

Heather Harrison, an undecided freshman at Lakeland Community College, said watching the performance made her think back to her days in orchestra and she enjoyed all the music.

“It actually surprised me a bit,” Heather Harrison said.

Heather Harrison said she thought playing only women composers was a good idea.

“I knew it was for women’s awareness then, but I actually did not realize at first that it was all women composers, but I liked it because back then women either didn’t state their full name, they went kind of incognito, because a lot of people didn’t like women doing that stuff back them.”

Spicknall said she enjoyed performing in the concert.

“I think it is great to play anything you can get your hands on to play,” Spicknall said. “Women or men, I don’t care what color, what year, I just think music is wonderful.

Fine said she was excited to perform her piece.

“It hard to play your own music and be objective,” Fine said.

Spicknall said she enjoyed “Skye Boat Fantasie”

“(Fine’s) piece that she wrote is just charming,” Spicknall said. “It’s always great to play your friends music.”

Moore said their performance said he enjoyed sharing pieces from women composers.

“Things can always go better, but this is the best we’ve played so far,” Moore said.

Theresa Harrison said she liked the performance.

“This is my first time ever seeing this type of performance,” Theresa Harrison said.

Theresa Harrison said she liked the instrumentation.

“One thing I really enjoyed seeing the person on the viola, seeing the emotion flow through her body as she played,” Theresa Harrison said. “It almost seemed like she was the music.”

Fine said she hoped the audience enjoyed the music.

“I hope it was a life-changing experience,” Fine said. “I hope it is something that opens up people’s senses and makes people want to come to more concerts and get them excited about music.”

Fine said she hopes she opened up the eyes of the audience to the world of music.

“Music doesn’t have a gender, it is just music,” Fine said.

Samantha McDaniel can be reached at 581-2812 or slmcdaniel@eiu.edu.