Ironic

hmmmm......can't remember

Oct 7, '07 · 1:21 PM391

I just finished a project/paper addressing the gender imbalance in professional music. In short, despite the fact that boatloads of young girls take piano/voice lessons and that you have to beg or bribe young boys to participate, most music professionals are male. There are precious few female engineers/producers/instrumentalists in the music industry, conductors in major symphony orchestras, musical directors (especially on Broadway,) heads of music departments at the college level, and band directors at any level. Those are all traditionally male positions.

I have no axe to grind with this; my experience is NOT that there is gender bias in the field, just a gap. This project is supposed to lead into my graduate capstone project, which addresses the difference in learning styles between males and females. My theory is that learning styles and careers are related.

The irony?

I have been offered a job starting in January. It's actually two jobs: Band Director and temporary Drama Teacher. At this particular school, they do a musical in the spring, so as Band Director I would also be the musical director.
This job is at a military academy. As in all boys. They also haven't had a chorus teacher in a few years, and they really want one. I'm supposed to lay the groundwork for that this spring so that I can just do band and chorus in the fall.
Besides wondering if I can run a band program and pull off a musical in my first semester of teaching, I'll have my hands full through Feb. 15th with a little gig at my college--I'm the musical director for the first big musical in their new Performing Arts Center.

I think I just shattered all my theories single-handedly. I've been praying for a job with group insurance, retirement, and all that jazz, and this meets all that criteria. Now I have to pray about whether I can do this without having a nervous breakdown. (Your prayers are appreciated, too, if you're into that sort of thing...)

(On the plus side, the cadets would have to call me Captain or something like that. :clap:

And even though the uniforms are green, I wouldn't have to worry about clothes or uncomfortable girl shoes.)

Edited Oct 7, '07 · 1:22 PM

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 1:50 PM#2

Wow, isn't that ironic? I :wub:

that song. Isn't this just typical of life? :idontno:

What an outstanding offer. :clap:

I'm proud for you, whether you take it or not. Sounds like a huge commitment of yourself in exchange for some excellent benefits. You seem young and full of energy, and like a magnet to young people.

They need 'good examples' and role models like you. :clap:

Your doctorate topic is very interesting. Remember seeing on 20/20 about boys just naturally being called upon more in class, etc. Really interesting stuff. Never really thought about musicians but gosh now that you mention it. I always think of women athletes right off when I think of lack of career oppurtunities. Anyhow, good for you. Even if you decide not to take the job it was nice you were offered. It would probably be an excellent experience, and fun too. maybe if you took it you could promise yourself not to demand too much of your programs the first year by keeping it very simple but quality, naturally. ;-) :wub:

Good luck, it is a big decision. Congrats, either way. Freedom is a hard thing to give up too. You would still have some freedom though, wouldn't you?

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com

Oct 7, '07 · 2:08 PM#3

HOLY CRAP! :shock:
YOU CAN DOOOOO ET...... :clap:

hmmmm......can't rememberAuthor

Oct 7, '07 · 3:15 PM#4

Your doctorate topic is very interesting. Remember seeing on 20/20 about boys just naturally being called upon more in class, etc. Really interesting stuff.

I think that was based on the book I had to read for my diversity class. Like I said, I don't have an axe to grind here, but it is interesting...

Never really thought about musicians but gosh now that you mention it. I always think of women athletes right off when I think of lack of career oppurtunities. Anyhow, good for you. Even if you decide not to take the job it was nice you were offered. It would probably be an excellent experience, and fun too. maybe if you took it you could promise yourself not to demand too much of your programs the first year by keeping it very simple but quality, naturally. ;-) Good luck, it is a big decision. Congrats, either way. Freedom is a hard thing to give up too. You would still have some freedom though, wouldn't you?

That's what I have to check into. The outgoing drama teacher likes to do BIG, elaborate musicals. I would want to scale it down considerably, but don't know yet if he has already set the wheels in motion for something huge.

Freedom? Not until summer, most likely. (Who wants to put me up for the entire month of June while I regain my sanity?)

HOLY CRAP! :shock:
YOU CAN DOOOOO ET......

Y'all are sweet, (which is why I posted this in the first place.) Then I realized that it was probably blog material. Sorry, Kurt. I shifted it over there, but it was too late to delete.

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com

Oct 7, '07 · 4:20 PM#5

I don't know what a blog is...so I am glad you posted here...I am skeered of that Blog stuff..... :creepy:

(and yes, I AM Kurt's sister...I must have come out of the CCCF :idontno:

) (Computer Challenged Cabbage Field)

got any pics?

Oct 7, '07 · 4:33 PM#6

I don't know about all that but I do know that that chick from Sugarland is hot :wub:

Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 4:40 PM#7

That Sugarland chick can belt one out too.

I don't know what a blog is...so I am glad you posted here...I am skeered of that Blog stuff..... (and yes, I AM Kurt's sister...I must have come out of the CCCF ) (Computer Challenged Cabbage Field)