Donne Foundation Breaks Guinness World Record with 26-hour Concert Championing Gender Equality and Inclusion

‘Let HER MUSIC Play’ featured 96 musicians performing only music by 140 women and non-binary composers, arrangers, and songwriters

NEWS | APRIL 10th, 2024

Wednesday, 10th April 2024

History has been made by the Donne Foundation: the ‘Let HER MUSIC Play’ marathon concert, has officially shattered the Guinness World Record™ for the Longest Acoustic Music Live-Streamed Concert.

Spearheaded by soprano Gabriella Di Laccio, the visionary Donne Foundation live-streamed the concert for a total of 26 hours 18 minutes and 57 seconds, showcasing music exclusively by women and non-binary composers and songwriters. 96 musicians performed music by over 140 women and non-binary composers, arrangers and songwriters.

‘Let HER Music Play’ took place on 22-23 February 2024 reaching an international audience of over 10,000 viewers in over 50 countries, as well as a live audience in London.

Soprano Gabriella Di Laccio, founder of Donne and the driving force behind this initiative, shares her passion: 

“This achievement is a call to every one of us to lift each other up, to make space for all voices in music and beyond. It’s about more than just being heard; it’s about creating a legacy of inclusion and empowering diverse voices.

To all my colleague artists who were part of this campaign: this Guinness World Record™ belongs to you all!”

Since its founding in 2018, the Donne Foundation has produced ground-breaking research, reports and toolkits of the industry. In 2022, the Donne Foundation reported disparities in the music and film industries:

○ Orchestral Compositions: 92% of the works performed by orchestras worldwide were composed by men.
○ Film Scoring: Women composers accounted for only 5% of the top 100 highest-grossing movies.
○ Music Production: A mere 1.67% of POP music producers were women.

£1 FOR EQUALITY CAMPAIGN: Aligned with this historic concert is the launch of the ‘£1 FOR EQUALITY CAMPAIGN‘. Each donation will go to support the many initiatives led by the Donne Foundation that advance diversity, create opportunities, and have a direct impact on the future of women in music. Every contribution fuels the change towards a more equitable industry.

FULL LIST OF PERFORMERS (in order or appearance)

Let HER MUSIC Play Official YouTube Playlist: WATCH HERE
For more information visit: https://donne-uk.org/let-her-music-play/

ABOUT DONNE, WOMEN IN MUSIC

The Donne Foundation Donne aims to connect and empower anyone who identifies as a woman in order to create a more equitable music industry. Together they celebrate, advance, and amplify women in music so that they are seen, heard, and appreciated for their talent, leaving a legacy of inspiration for future generations.

In a transformative push for gender equality in the arts, the Donne Foundation, founded by Soprano Gabriella Di Laccio, stands at the forefront of empowering women in the music industry. This visionary foundation  is not only celebrating women’s achievements but is actively reshaping the landscape of music.

Key Achievements and Initiatives:

• Groundbreaking Research: The foundation’s 2022 Equality & Diversity in Global Repertoire report, a landmark study, analysed over 20,400 works by 111 orchestras across 31 countries. This pivotal research uncovered a significant gender disparity, with only 7% of compositions by women and a mere 1.11% by Black and Asian women. The foundation also looks at the representation of women in the POP and Film industry. 
• The Big List: A monumental resource showcasing over 5,000 women composers from mediaeval times to the 21st century, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women to music.
• Strategic Partnerships and Resources: Collaborations with esteemed organisations  like the Royal Albert Hall, Apple Music, TheOscars ® and the creation of free multimedia resources underscore Donne’s commitment to amplifying female voices in music.
• Consultative and Educational Role: Through talks, program consultations, and other educational initiatives, Donne is increasing the visibility and recognition of women composers.

The Donne Foundation is more than an advocate for women in music; it’s a catalyst for faster change. With a mission to see women not only seen and heard but profoundly appreciated for their talents, Donne is leaving a lasting  legacy for future generations. This charity is not just marking history; it’s making it. https://donne-uk.org/ 

Event Details: 

Started: 12 pm, Thu, Feb 22, 2024
Ended: 2.23 pm, Fri, Feb 23, 2024
Location: Sala Brasil, 14-16 Cockspur Street London, SW1Y 5B

£1 for EQUALITY Campaign: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZK6BJFUEFQ23G 

Be Part of the Revolution: The Donne Foundation invites everyone to join in this historic moment. Your support, whether through participation, spreading the word, or contributing to the campaign, can help reshape the music industry.

Get Involved: Visit here for details on “Let HER MUSIC Play” and the ‘£1 FOR EQUALITY CAMPAIGN’.

Olivia Brown
olivia@wildkatpr.com
WildKat PR

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