Finding a Reason: A Composer’s Pathway Forged Through Social Justice Advocacy

This chapter explores music composition as a force for positive change. Kathleen McGuire’s path to becoming a recognised composer was at first traditional, then took unconventional turns while pursuing an international conducting career. Through professional experiences—and also impacted by being a gay-identified woman—the “composer” role later returned in unexpected ways. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Composition, McGuire’s focus on composing faded due to the absence of suitable role models or mentors; she could not envisage how to earn a living as a composer in Australia. Eventually, she discovered that the role of “composer” can take on many guises, with success not solely dependent on inspiration, opportunity, or entrepreneurship. Being a conductor deepened her understanding of music composition and her growth as a person led to social justice issues becoming my primary reason for composing music. McGuire examines how social justice advocacy merged with her evolution as a composer, culminating in impactful, collaborative composition commissions focused on such issues as homelessness, war, racism, sexism, homophobia, and domestic violence. In sharing her story, emerging women composers are encouraged to consider the vast potential in their musical expression: to imagine, discover and embrace the pathways ahead.