Philomela, an ancient Athenian princess, was transformed into a nightingale and warbled her way through life. In 1976, a group of female singers formed an ensemble in her name to give voice to women's stories.

Our programs emphasize music composed by women, for women's voices, about women's lives and concerns, with an increasing focus on contemporary composers.

Philomela has performed at The White House, The Kennedy Center, The National Museum of Women in the Arts, The National Portrait Gallery, the Folger Shakespeare Theater, and Mount Vernon.


Here are some things that people are saying about Philomela:

"...the singing was energetic and given a lively tempo. Both choruses and solos were sung with confidence, dramatic flair and frequent touches of whimsy and wit."
- Cecelia Porter, The Washington Post
"The chamber consort, under the direction of Kathy Kessler Price...boasts a number of fine soloists, singers who possess formidable power, technique and...not a little theatrical flair. Yet it's mostly the harmonies - heartfelt and heavenly and colorfully arranged - that make the love songs...so warmly alluring and refreshingly out-of-sync with pop fashions."
- Mike Joyce, The Washington Post
(Recording of Sweet and Strange)
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