ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the academic theory that exists on women in leadership and existing data tracking women in leadership. It provides a brief survey of some of the leading feminist musicological theorists and their contributions to feminist aesthetics, women’s representation in music, analysis of musical form as gendered discourse and examining the role of women in music in relation to power and social structure. The book discusses the challenges faced by women in gaining senior leadership roles as conductors of major orchestras which represents leadership at the top of the musical hierarchy. It examines women’s careers as classical performers on the public concert stage. It addresses leading women in popular music who have successfully negotiated their careers by taking on inspirational roles as performers, producers and songwriters.
