Trusty Hatpin

2023 GMA Bronze Medal Award Winner for the Composition category!

Song from the in-progress chamber opera, “A Most Common Curse”.

The scene takes place in the United States circa 1903, at a time when women were just beginning to populate the social areas previously reserved for men. To guard against “mashers” who were simply afraid of seeing so many women outside the home, many women trusted their protection to their hatpins, a dangerous fashion accessory that was common in this time period.