As part of the Spring 2026 “A World of Music” concert series, Middlesex Community College will host a performance highlighting Women Composers Across Cultures and Centuries. Co-sponsored by MCC’s Commonwealth Honors Program (CHP), the concert will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12 at MCC’s Concert Hall in Bedford.
“Until recently, women composers were not taken seriously, and their music was rarely performed,” said Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “This lecture recital will examine a few women composers from the 1700’s until today, who were from Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Anatole [Wieck] and I are very much looking forward to performing this colorful and worthwhile music.”
Rodríguez-Peralta, piano, and Wieck, Baroque violin/violin/viola, will present a lecture recital featuring a variety of works by women composers from different countries and time periods. Works by Isabella Leonarda, Clara Schumann, Florence Price, Teresa Carreño, Grazyna Bacewicz, and the world premiere of “A Thousand Mountains” for viola and electronics by Mei-ling Lee will be performed.
A Professor of Music at the University of Maine in Orono, Wieck teaches violin, viola, music survey courses, and conducts the university orchestra. He and Rodriguez-Peralta were classmates at The Juilliard School, and they frequently perform together.
“I am truly excited and greatly looking forward to performing all of the pieces with Carmen as part of our program at MCC on March 12,” Wieck said. “To me, it promises to be a deeply meaningful experience, and I can’t wait to share the music!”
Highlighting the partnership between the CHP and “A World of Music” concert series, the performance offers an enriching academic experience and celebration of artistic excellence, according to Binnur Ercem, MCC’s Professor of Sociology & Cultural Anthropology and Director of the CHP.
“This special lecture-concert invites attendees on an engaging intellectual and musical journey that highlights the diverse contributions of women composers,” Ercem said. “The CHP is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment where intellectually curious and highly motivated students can reach their fullest potential while enhancing their college experience. The World of Music concert series closely aligns with these values by providing meaningful opportunities for students to engage with the richness of global cultures and musical traditions, deepening their understanding through both scholarship and performance.”
Additional “A World of Music” performances in Bedford this season include Liana Paniyeva, Pianist, at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 27; Featuring MCC Alumnus Nathaniel Abreu, Cellist at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10; and a Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4.
The Lowell Chamber Orchestra kicked off the Spring season with a performance at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, Theatre in Lowell on Saturday, February 7. They will perform a second time at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
MCC’s Concert Hall is located in the North Academic Building at 591 Springs Road in Bedford. Parking is available on-campus.