The following article highlighting MUSE's diversity and 25th anniversary season was published in the September Arts edition of Cincinnati Woman Magazine.

Where would we be without change? Even as we enter an election season where a leading Democratic party nominee is a woman, many of my generation (X) cannot think of the time when women were fighting for equal pay and rights. Women fought for huge change and have overcome many barriers, and yet the struggle continues.

Famed historian and activist Howard Zinn tells us that people do want change but feel, when acting alone, that they are powerless, conspicuous and vulnerable to criticism, or worse. Consequently, they often wait for someone else to act first.

One hundred and thirty years earlier, women’s rights leader Susan B. Anthony preceded him by saying, "Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform."

Diverse and Dynamic

Women in Cincinnati need not feel alone in their efforts to affect social change. In music, activism, environmentalism, and change of habits, women are stronger when they unify their voices. This year, one organization celebrates 25 years of using their voices as an agent for social change - MUSE Cincinnati's Women's Choir.

MUSE is inherently diverse in their composition and musical expositions. Spanning age, cultural, economic, political and sexual boundaries, MUSE is accepting of all women. To experience the group sing is to feel the tangible presence of respect and love.

Throughout their 25 year "her"story, MUSE has sung at such events as the Annual Vigil Against Domestic Violence, Speaking of Women’s Health, Take Back the Night Rally, International Women’s Day, and numerous others. MUSE is also highly active in the arts community with yearly participation in the St. John's UU Music Series, FineArtsFund Sampler, the Enjoy the Arts 20/20 Festival, GALA choruses festival, Sister Singers, and The New Spirituals Project. They have released four eclectic CDs and do it all with a
minimal budget and small but effective part-time staff.

Twenty-fifth Season

This season promises to be as vivacious and thoughtful as the previous 24. MUSE rekindles their roots beginning in November with songs that honor their beginnings and music that addresses the struggles of women. Kentucky-based duo, Wishing Chair, joins them to share their global awareness through an Appalachian sound. In April '08, A New Spirituals concert features a new commission from accomplished composer Rosephanye Powell. In her suite for mixed voices, Powell tackles the topics of freedom and love that triumph over
prejudice and hate. The season culminates in June with a special alumnae homecoming weekend, in which MUSE alums are welcomed back to sing with the choir and rejoin the celebration of making social change through music.

It is an exciting era for this women's group as they reflect on where they have come from and where they are going. If the words of Margaret Mead are any indication of MUSE's effect on Cincinnati and beyond, then we may never doubt that "a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Maggie Panyko is Managing Director of MUSE Cincinnati's Women's Choir and resides in West Chester. More information about MUSE can be found at www.musechoir.org