Most of our bands have over 50% female students yet most of us program very few, if any, female composers.
I threw a question out to twitter a few days ago- of our bands our 50% female, should we program 50% female composers? Many directors said that they couldnt even NAME three female band composers.
This has to change.
Scholastic band is a male dominated microcosm. The vast majority of secondary band directors in America are male. Women band directors tend to gravitate to the elementary and middle levels. Why? Other than tradition and gender identities, I can think of no other reason.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best competitive marching bands in my area has a female director, along with one of the high schools in the town where my charter school is located. They do a great job and are loved by their students.
Most of the women that I see involved with secondary bands play roles on support staff positions rather than sitting in "the big chair".
Should we publish/compile what we program? I'd love to compare what I program using some sort of database.
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