Abstract

In the field of high school and college band conductors, the vast majority are male, even though most of the students involved in our school bands are female. Most band programs have around 65% girls, and substantial numbers of females receive undergraduate and graduate degrees in instrumental music education, but most of them have careers that do not include teaching at the high school or college levels.

I was interested in finding out why this happens, and although previous research did offer some insights, I felt there needed to be more information gathered concerning this important topic. I designed a survey that would offer more details about the challenges and experiences of women who are presently directing bands at all levels, in hopes it would present information that had not been previously addressed to a high degree. My survey was sent to 302 women, and the response was very strong (48%). Many women who responded expressed great interest in the topic, were willing to give detailed descriptions of their own experiences, and wanted to know the results of my survey. The topics I dealt with were:

Role modeling, mentoring and their effects
Military influence on band conducting
Gender stereotyping of musical instruments and how it affects instrument choice
Gender stereotyping by society of the position of band conductor
Hiring practices that may discriminate against women
Career aspirations of responders
How primary instrument choice affects career
Leadership responsibilities in high school
Treatment by male colleagues
Gender inequity in music textbooks and journals
How marriage and having children influence the career paths of women
Leadership styles of women

My project includes a compilation of previous research, the results of my survey, some respondersí personal comments concerning the challenges they and other women have faced, and suggestions for music teachers that may help enable young women aspire to the band conductorís podium, whether it be at the elementary level

or at the university level.

Cynthia Eisenmann

Central Middle School

400 N.Grand Ave.

Waukesha, WI 53186

ceisenma@waukesha.k12.wi.us