Her Only Light: The Songs of Connie Converse

Written By Emmy Bean

Today is August 3, the birthday of Connie Converse. She would have been 98 years old. 

This is also the month in which she disappeared, leaving us with the gift of her music. Ronnie Kuller and I are putting together a program of newly-realized Connie Converse songs for the 2022-23 season of 5th Wave Collective’s Chicago-based performances. Here, in order, are answers to your questions: 

  1. Ronnie and I have been friends and collaborators for many years. 

  2. Connie Converse was an exceptional and under-recognized American composer and songwriter who wrote music in the 50s and 60s. 

  3. The 5th Wave Collective is an incredible group of musicians and producers who produce and perform works by women, nonbinary and transgender composers. 

All of your other questions will surely be answered in this video, and the accompanying text on the 3Arts website. We are grateful to 3Arts for supporting our crowdfunding campaign for this project and can’t wait to share with you some lovely rewards for your donation - we hope you’ll come with us on this journey. 

Emmy Bean