From a media release:

Uncovering Overlooked Gems:
Conservatory Canada Adds 250 Pieces
By Women & BIPOC Composers To Classical Piano Syllabus

• Check out the full list of composers at the link

If anyone has been under the impression that the only composers of Western classical music were white and male, Conservatory Canada has the answer. They've added no less than 250 compositions by women and BIPOC composers to their classical piano syllabus.

Composers Joseph Bologne & George Bridgetower

Since the 2020-21 global pandemic, interest in uncovering previously unheard and forgotten music by women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Colour) composers achieved a critical mass. Thanks to the fine work of interested musicologists and musicians worldwide, music that previously went unnoticed in libraries and other collections is now being uploaded to online libraries, and some even published! In a musical world traditionally dominated by select male composers, the void left by leaving hundreds of other composer’s voices unpublished (especially women and BIPOC composers) is finally being filled.

In an effort to promote and make this music more accessible and heard, Conservatory Canada has added and will continue to add titles to its classical piano syllabus repertoire lists as they become available. As of July, 2021, we have added over 250 titles to Grades 1-10 of our Classical Piano syllabus, and we will be making further additions annually. The majority of the added music is by women composers from the 18th and 19th centuries, and there are some works by BIPOC men as well.

We are grateful for the contributions made by CC Examiner, Cecile Desrosiers, who is sharing her research and passion for this music with us. In order to provide more context, and to reveal the fascinating stories of these composers, Cecile has written detailed biographies for many of the composers which can be found on our website here. These bios will be helpful for teachers and students in meeting the background information requirements of our examinations. 

Here's a look at some of the women and BIPOC composers from the 18th century, for example: