I really enjoyed this article. My favorite quote was "Our society is more resistant to women being powerful in public than to women being entertaining." I went to a drum major camp a few summers ago and there was a whole class on being a female drum major and being assertive. I think being a woman in power is extremely difficult partially because society struggles to view women in power in a positive light, but also because it can be hard for a woman to see herself in a position of power. As women, we're conditioned from a young age to be polite, delicate, kind, and put others above us. Breaking away from this conditioning can be difficult and uncomfortable. However, I think when it's accomplished, it leaves many women feeling free and empowered.
I've always wondered about the disparity between male and female conductors. Do you think that plays a part into societal expectations of females? We often attribute the reason for a greater number of men in powerful positions is because of a playing field that does expect females not to be bossy, but as Sarah put it "polite, delicate, kind" and more importantly, submissive. Is this also evidenced in music?
I definitely think female conductors are less valued than male conductors. I do not often see female band directors - female music education majors tend to gravitate toward teaching younger children, while males want to teach marching band and concert band. I have never had a female conductor, and as an education major, I want to be a band director.
When I was little I was told by my band teacher that I couldn't play percussion because I was a GIRL. I feel that a lot of the time females are less valued than men in conducting which shouldn't be the case. I think it depends on the person and what they want to do but I think that female conductors are just as important as male conductors.
The festival they are throwing to support woman composers/conductors and bring up awareness is awesome! I am so for that. I do think the reason there are not a lot of woman conductors is due to the lower amount of pieces composed by women. In general, I also notice that far fewer women aspire to be conductors than men. I have no sure idea as to why this is overall, but for me personally it has nothing to do with feeling under minded by men or intimidated or not having support. I wonder if this feeling of indifference occurs due to not seeing a women ever conduct. Therefor, I couldn't be inspired or motivated, or relate to that position. The more I talk about this the more frustrated I am getting with women's role in society currently so I shall stop. Like the article.
I really enjoyed this article. My favorite quote was "Our society is more resistant to women being powerful in public than to women being entertaining." I went to a drum major camp a few summers ago and there was a whole class on being a female drum major and being assertive. I think being a woman in power is extremely difficult partially because society struggles to view women in power in a positive light, but also because it can be hard for a woman to see herself in a position of power.
ReplyDeleteAs women, we're conditioned from a young age to be polite, delicate, kind, and put others above us. Breaking away from this conditioning can be difficult and uncomfortable. However, I think when it's accomplished, it leaves many women feeling free and empowered.
I've always wondered about the disparity between male and female conductors. Do you think that plays a part into societal expectations of females? We often attribute the reason for a greater number of men in powerful positions is because of a playing field that does expect females not to be bossy, but as Sarah put it "polite, delicate, kind" and more importantly, submissive. Is this also evidenced in music?
ReplyDeleteI definitely think female conductors are less valued than male conductors. I do not often see female band directors - female music education majors tend to gravitate toward teaching younger children, while males want to teach marching band and concert band. I have never had a female conductor, and as an education major, I want to be a band director.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little I was told by my band teacher that I couldn't play percussion because I was a GIRL. I feel that a lot of the time females are less valued than men in conducting which shouldn't be the case. I think it depends on the person and what they want to do but I think that female conductors are just as important as male conductors.
ReplyDeleteThe festival they are throwing to support woman composers/conductors and bring up awareness is awesome! I am so for that. I do think the reason there are not a lot of woman conductors is due to the lower amount of pieces composed by women. In general, I also notice that far fewer women aspire to be conductors than men. I have no sure idea as to why this is overall, but for me personally it has nothing to do with feeling under minded by men or intimidated or not having support. I wonder if this feeling of indifference occurs due to not seeing a women ever conduct. Therefor, I couldn't be inspired or motivated, or relate to that position. The more I talk about this the more frustrated I am getting with women's role in society currently so I shall stop. Like the article.
ReplyDelete