In the 1940s it was unheard of for women to be members of a professional orchestra, let alone play โmasculineโ instruments like the bass or trombone. Yet despite these formidable challenges, the Montreal Womenโs Symphony Orchestra (MWSO) became the only all-women orchestra in Canadian history. Formed in 1940, the MWSO became the first orchestra to represent Canada in New York Cityโs Carnegie Hall. The stories of those musicians are illuminated here, including the life of the incredible Ethel Stark, the co-founder and conductor of the MWSO.