At the weekend-long (March 22-24) Festival of Women in Music & Art at Wilmington College, Harbach was a central focus as three of her compositions had their world premieres and it was announced she gave WC�s Watson Library a complete collection of Vivace�s Press� compositions, editions and recordings.

"I�m overwhelmed!" Harbach said. "This has been a dream come true. I�ve only imagined them (her compositions) in my mind and they turned out incredibly -- they came to life in the most exciting form."

Harbach is founder of Vivace Press, a music publishing company renowned for its interest in works by women and other traditionally under-represented composers.

In reading the honorary degree citation, Mark Policinski, vice chair of the WC�s Board of Trustees, cited Harbach as an "extraordinary and talented" composer, a "virtuoso" performer on organ, piano and harpsichord, and an educator, scholar and writer who has "shared her knowledge and love of music" with thousands.

"Interwoven in each of these is a testimony to the immense, vital and significant role of women in the rich history and heritage of music," Policinski said. "Vivace Press, your publishing company is at the forefront of presenting music composed by women. For so long, indeed centuries, the wonderful contributions by women composers were lost in the traditions of music publishing.

"You and Vivace Press have helped right those wrongs by giving women composers an avenue for presenting their music to the world," he added. "And what wonderful music it is!"

The festival opened with a symposium titled "Are We There Yet?" that explored the past and present and future of women in music and art. Harbach was featured among five presenters involved in the arts.

The grand finale of the weekend was a concert with MUSE, Cincinnati�s Women�s Choir, directed by WC faculty member Catherine Roma, and the Wilmington College Festival Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Haskins. The orchestra performed the world premiere of Harbach�s "Arcadian Reverie for String Orchestra" and "Frontier Fancies for Violin and Orchestra: Fiddleflirt, Twilight Dream and Dance Devil."

"This was something you can�t wish for or plan for. It�s something that�s never on the radar screen," Harbach said about the experience. "As my students say, �It was awesome!� "

Harbach holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University, a master's degree from Yale University and a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. She came to UWSP in 2000 after three years as a visiting professor at UW-Oshkosh and six years as a tenured professor of music at Washington State University.

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sclanton/vc/Barbara Harbach