City of Women
A living movement of music, story and collective action, honouring the women who have shaped, and continue to shape, the City of London.
What is City of Women?
Since 2024, Music in Offices has filled the Square Mile with women’s voices - sung, spoken, shouted… remembered. We bring women and allies from across the City - professionals, artists, residents, musicians, changemakers - to weave together past, present, and progress, through song, documentary interviews, historical narration and mass-participation performance.
City of Women 2026
Tuesday 24th March
The Cheapside Choir is an open, inclusive choir formed as part of City of Women 2026. These evening rehearsals bring people together from across the Square Mile to sing powerful, uplifting repertoire in the lead up to International Women’s Day.
No previous singing experience is required. Sessions are welcoming, accessible and designed for anyone who wants to take part in a collective creative project at the heart of the City.
The rehearsals culminate in a landmark closing ceremony performance at the London Stock Exchange Group, marking International Women’s Day with a shared public moment of voice and presence.
Rehearsal and Performance Dates
Wednesday 4 February
1800 to 1900
Wednesday 11 February
1800 to 1900
Wednesday 18 February
1800 to 1900
Wednesday 25 February
1800 to 1900
Wednesday 11 March
1800 to 1900
Thursday 12 March
12:00-14:00
Lunchtime Performance led by Hannah Jones at the Royal Exchange
Wednesday 18 March
1800 to 1900
Tuesday 24 March
1600 to 1720
Closing ceremony performance at the London Stock Exchange Group led by Beth Williams
Repertoire includes
I’m Every Woman - Chaka Khan
I Am Woman - Helen Reddy
What’s Up? - Four Non-Blondes
Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves - Annie Lennox & Aretha Franklin
2018 - Leadenhall Market
Commissioned by the City of London Corporation to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage, historian Veronica Horwell researched women’s stories through the City of London and wove them into song composed by Iain Chambers. From traders, porters, campaigners, makers.. these women’s stories were brought to life through music and drama led by Laurel Neighbour.
2025 - Accelerating Action
Over 100 participants marched and sang through the streets. Starting again in Leadenhall Market, we marched down Cornhill to perform with a live, female band on the steps of the Royal Exchange and again inside the Royal Exchange. Two bespoke audio installations conveyed the interviews and words of the current women in the City. One in the Guildhall Yard, and one in Paternoster Square, with additional performances as we walked through Postman’s Park - celebrating women driving progress in finance, technology, culture and community. We culminated with a performance at the close of market ceremony with Tessa pushing the button next to Dame Julia Hoggett exemplifying the co-existence and power when the worlds of music and business collide.
2024 - Breaking the Mould
Tessa reimagined City of Women and brought it back to life as a live, moving performance through the streets of the City. Working with Veronica she interviewed current women in the City who were “firsts”. Women who have broken industry barriers, reshaped workplaces and opened the doors for others.
Our Story: From 2018 to Today
For organisations, this project:
Creates a powerful, values-led International Women’s Day programme
Connects employees to a cultural moment of pride and belonging
Amplifies women’s leadership and visibility
Generates high-quality media, photography, audio and press opportunities
Builds community across businesses and sectors
Demonstrates meaningful commitment to equity, creativity and wellbeing
For individuals, City of Women offers a rare experience:
To walk and sing through the City with hundreds of others.
To feel history beneath your feet.
To be part of something bigger.
Why City of Women matters
Watch
Listen
Experience the movement
Explore the story so far…
2024: Breaking the Mould
Interviews with pioneers. A walking choir through the City.
→ View City of Women 2024
2025: Accelerating Action
Women driving progress in the City. Ringing the bell for gender equality with LSEG.
→ View City of Women 2025