What Color Is Your Baton, Girl? Gender and Ethnicity in Band Conducting

Abstract

Abstract Studied were trends in instrumental music education leadership among women and minorities from 1996 until 2008. Gender data of primary band conductors at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic from 1947 were reviewed by year and ensemble level. Also investigated was the distribution of gender and ethnicity among graduate students studying wind-band conducting from 1999 until 2008 and participants in conducting workshops or symposia from 1996 until 2008. Ethnicities were categorized as American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, White, and Other. Findings revealed that men overwhelmingly outnumbered women as primary conductors throughout the history of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Women were more represented at the junior high/middle school level than any other. Similar distributions were found among graduate windband conducting student populations and among conducting symposium/workshop attendees. White participants dominated graduate study and workshops populations. Results underscore the importance of revisiting reasons for the dearth of females and people of color in band-conducting leadership positions and begin discussion of actions that would ameliorate inequities.