Oscars to Feature Female Orchestra Conductor for the First Time
By A woman will be conducting at the Oscars for the first time on Sunday, Feb. 9, the Academy announced today.
Irish-born composer-conductor Eímear Noone will conduct excerpts from the five nominated scores. She is the first female to lead the orchestra in the history of the televised awards, the Academy said.
Details beyond that are sketchy, sources indicated. It is not clear whether all five themes will be presented as a medley or separately, or whether the 42-piece Oscar orchestra will be onstage at the Dolby Theatre or in the pit.
Reached this morning in Dublin, Noone tells Variety: “The wonderful producers at the Oscars decided that they would like to finally see a female presence on the podium after all these years.”
She praised Oscar musical director Rickey Minor as “an amazing kindred spirit who endeavors to elevate music and musicians at every possible turn.”