Frequently Asked Questions

  • Musicians Club of Women was organized in 1873, founded in 1875, and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.  Originally known as the Amateur Musical Club of Chicago, it was renamed Musicians Club of Women in 1917.  From its origins as a social club for music-loving women, it expanded into a professional organization of singers, instrumentalists, composers, conductors, educators, and music appreciators.  Throughout MCW's history, community philanthropy, scholarship awards and musical excellence have been central to its mission to support, promote, and engage women in classical music.

    MCW's mission to promote, support and engage women in music continues to be important today as it has been for 150 years.  Throughout its history, MCW has supported young women musicians.  In fact, since 1955 MCW has awarded more than $1.75 million to more than 875 musicians.  Generous member bequests have made this support possible.  Our members range in age from late teens to late eighties, and live all over the USA, with the majority residing in the Chicagoland area.  We have an all-volunteer board with various committees. It's a wonderful organization filled with women passionate about music.

  • While the list of benefits is long, here are highlights of what MCW offers:

    • 23 free concerts in an intimate setting where you can meet and talk to the artists.

    • Networking and socializing opportunities with peers who share your interests.

    • Camaraderie with those who are passionate about MCW’s mission of supporting, engaging and promoting women in classical music

    • Annual Awards Competition open to young women vocalists and instrumentalists in 6 midwestern states.  Last year we awarded $67,000 to 16 talented young women!  We are forever grateful to the generous legacy donors who make these awards possible.

    • Introduction to women composers who were contemporaries of the “greats” but did not receive much deserved recognition.

    • Free advertising - all MCW members can promote their own performances on MCW’s website

    • For our performing members: Opportunity to apply for paid performances at 17 concerts

    • Seeking ideas for entertainment?  Looking for someone to join your musical group?  The MCW calendar showcases member performances and the contact database allows you to search for potential collaborators.

    • Making new friends and catching up with people you already know.

    • Most importantly:  the satisfaction of knowing that your membership sustains MCW’s vital mission of supporting, engaging and promoting women musicians.

  • There is NO requirement to be a musician, professional or amateur for MCW membership!  While many members are professional musicians, there are many of us who are not, but we all enjoy classical music.  If you love watching excellent musical performances and want to support women in classical music, then MCW membership is a perfect fit.

  • There is no audition requirement for MCW membership. Apply on our website here.

  • If you are a current MCW member you can apply to perform at future MCW meetings or AIR concerts.  The Performance Chair will work with the Performance Committee to identify performers.

    Performance opportunities for MCW members include the AIR concerts the 1st Friday of every month, co-sponsored with the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, and the MCW meetings, held the 3rd Monday of each month at the Union League of Chicago.  Our Performance Chair coordinates the performers’ schedules, which are typically finalized by late spring.  Members will be notified of performing opportunities through email.   There is an application process if you are interested in performing in a future MCW concert.

  • We have an average of 300 members from all walks of life, with multi-generations represented.

    Our members range in age from late teens to late eighties, and include professional musicians, educators, administrators (including retired), and music lovers.  The annual dues support the administrative efforts of the club.  We have an all-volunteer board with various committees.  It's a wonderful organization filled with members passionate about music.

  • The MCW meetings and gatherings are not mandatory, however,  we encourage you to attend to meet fellow music aficionados and experience amazing performances.  It’s a fantastic way to network and learn about different music and composers.  We realize many members cannot attend mid-day events, so we offer the Sunday Salon Series – 3 free concerts/workshops during the season.  We have a few “Making Connections Work” social events in the evening as well.

  • We offer at least 20  free concerts each season.  We collaborate with Fourth Presbyterian on their Friday concert series; the 1st Friday concerts highlight MCW members.  The MCW meeting on the 3rd Monday at Union League Club of Chicago offers a free concert before lunch.  Also, our Sunday Salon Series provides a weekend respite dedicated to musical exploration and performance. This past  season we restored Award Winners in Concert with three free evening performances.

  • Yes, if you attend the luncheon after the concert, there is a lunch fee of $55.  Lunch registration is online, and you are treated to a delightful dining experience at the Union League Club.  If you are attending the Concert Only, the concert is free, however we ask that you register so we can plan accordingly.   Registration is open until the Wednesday before the MCW Meeting on the 3rd Monday of the month.

  • The annual membership dues are $100 and support the administrative efforts of the club.  Our season is from June 1 to May 31 the following year.  If you join in May, your membership will have a 1-month grace period and will be effective until the following May.  If you join on or before April 30, then you will need to renew for the next season (June 1 - May 31 the following year).

  • Musicians Club of Women welcomes members living throughout the USA and beyond!  While the majority of our members are in the Chicagoland area, approximately 20% are out of state.  Some members may move away from Chicago once they graduate to pursue career opportunities.  Many remain members because they believe in MCW's mission to promote, support and engage women in classical music.  Maintaining their membership dues helps to support the Board and committee work, which honors MCW's mission.

  • If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the online application on our website:  https://www.musiciansclubofwomen.org/membership-application#join.  This includes paying the membership dues.  We ask that you provide a brief personal description or bio, including your interest in MCW, which will help the Membership Committee get to know you.  We also ask that you identify a current MCW member as a sponsor.  If you don’t have a sponsor, we will assign one.  The sponsor will submit a sponsor statement that will accompany your application. 

    Please contact our Membership Director at membership@musiciansclubofwomen.org if you have any questions.

Please contact us at admin@musiciansclubofwomen.org if you have any additional questions.