You know what Batman sounds like, right?

He’s one of the most composed-for superheroes in screen history, so chances are you’ve got a favourite Batman theme — maybe you’re thinking of the music of Danny Elfman (from the 1990s), Hans Zimmer (from the 2000s), or of course, the joyous ‘na-na na-na’ of Neal Hefti’s 1960s TV theme song.

But one composer had the chance to write more Batman music than any of these others. For many, it was Shirley Walker who defined the very particular musical landscape of Gotham City with her iconic music for Batman: The Animated Series, which ran for four seasons in the 1990s. Walker wrote with a deep and varied sense of iconography and location for the show, working in everything from Gothic fanfares, to clownish chaos and Bernard Herrmann-like arpeggios.

Walker made such a contribution that today, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hands out an award every year in her name for achievements contributing to the diversity of film and television music. Women have always been part of film music, but as an intersection of two male-dominated industries — the film industry and the music industry — women’s contributions have often been marginalised.

As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, we have an incredible selection of film music composed by women in today’s show, including the prolific Rachel Portman (who has over a 100 scores to her name), and the highly influential Australian composer, Lisa Gerrard.