From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall is meticulously researched and written in an engaging style... a valuable contribution to both the history of women in music and the history of Canadian music.
The Kapralova Society Journal
The sad irony of the book is that although nostalgic in feel -- generously peppered with fascinating black-and-white photographs -- the issues the book addresses are depressingly modern. There's a poverty of female conductors in classical music to this day.... [From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall is] impressive, and would make an excellent gift for aspiring young musicians.
Winnipeg Free Press
This is an important story of a remarkable woman whose push against the established norms led her to form one of the most remarkable music ensembles of the mid-twentieth century. From Kitchen to Carnegie Hall is highly recommended for all Canadian libraries.
Canadian Association of Music Libraries Review
Noriega Rachwal tells the story of Stark and her orchestra with unbridled enthusiasm and an abundance of facts, quotes and conversations, both real and reconstructed.
Herizons Magazine
A joyous, uncanny and entertaining narrative of women who trace a path for themselves in a man’s world, very well-illustrated and researched.
Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature
This book is sure to please a wide variety of readers: feminists, musicians, historians and any other reader who enjoys a good story, well written and well told.... highly recommended for all libraries.
AJL Reviews
"With its chronological structure, the book is easy to read and will be of interest not only to music researchers but also to scholars of music and gender. The MWSO shook the foundations of the traditionally masculine orchestral milieu, forcing it to open its doors to women from different backgrounds and thereby making a fundamental contribution to the women’s liberation movement in the twentieth century.... This important text brings long-deserved recognition to this ensemble and its founders."
