About this book

In an era when women couldn’t become conductors, Antonia Brico didn’t listen to discouraging words. Those words went in one ear and out the other. The second title in Penny Candy’s Amazing Women Series of nonfiction picture books, In One Ear and Out the Other: Antonia Brico and Her Amazingly Musical Life tells the story of one woman’s fight to gain recognition as a conductor in an era when men dominated classical music. The first woman to guest-conduct the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Antonia Brico never secured a permanent conducting job with a major symphony—but her contributions paved the way for the many women conductors to follow. A true visionary in the long fight for equal opportunities for women.

Reviews

Publisher’s Weekly: “Worthey, a musician who played in the Brico Symphony under the figure, infuses this straightforward telling of Brico’s life with passion, emphasizing her persistence….Wallace combines sensitive watercolor, ink, pen, and cut-paper collage in illustrations that convey Brico’s dauntless determination. Includes a timeline and capsule biographies of three current women conductors and three women trailblazers in classical music and conducting. “

Kirkus Reviews: “Chronologically organized, attractively illustrated, carefully sourced, and accompanied by a helpful timeline, this also includes minibiographies of three other early female conductors as well as three from the present day. Ideal for girls with professional dreams of their own.”

Booklist: “Great for nonfiction collections, particularly where books about historical women in music are lacking.”

What people are saying

“Dr. Antonia Brico was my teacher from the time I was 10 years old. She was a dynamic and amazing woman. Now we have a beautiful book about her life where little children can learn what can happen when you pursue your dreams and do what’s in your deepest heart. Never give up on your dreams, Antonia says, never let anybody tell you that you can’t do something you want to do! And always believe that miracles can happen! What a beautiful book is In One Ear and Out the Other: Antonia Brico and Her Amazingly Musical Life!”—Judy Collins

“Now forty-four years after Judy Collins and I made a film about the extraordinary symphony conductor, Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct major symphonies, in Berlin, London, Los Angeles, New York, I have just read, with great delight, a richly nuanced book for children, In One Ear and Out the Other, about dear Antonia and her determination to become the orchestra conductor she wanted to be. For young girls especially, this quietly vigorous book will inspire courage and determination for them to achieve their dreams.”—Jill Godmilow

CBC Arts’ Paper Cuts video about illustrator Morgana Wallace