Author: Allmendinger, Jutta and Hackman, J. Richard

Publication Year:

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This paper explores what happens when members of one identity group enter an elite institution that long has been dominated by another. Our focus is on the entry of women into professional symphony orchestras, an institution with a history of male exclusivity. We examine associations between orchestra gender composition, which varies widely both within and between nations, and players' reports about orchestral functioning, the quality of members' relationships, and their own motivation and satisfaction.

Abstract:

This paper explores what happens when members of one identity group enter an elite institution that long has been dominated by another. Our focus is on the entry of women into professional symphony orchestras, an institution with a history of male exclusivity. We examine associations between orchestra gender composition, which varies widely both within and between nations, and players' reports about orchestral functioning, the quality of members' relationships, and their own motivation and satisfaction.

Analyses draw on quantitative, qualitative, and historical data collected as part of a comparative study of 78 symphony orchestras in four nations: the , the United Kingdom, the former East Germany and the former West Germany. Dependent measures decline as the proportion of women increases until the proportion of women approaches 50%. At that point, the downward trend flattens or reverses for many variables. The dynamics of gender integration are found to differ (a) at low vs. moderate levels of female representation and (b) as a function of national gender.      (p. 1)

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: International