ABSTRACT
The preceding chapters indicate that women have participated in music from the beginning of time across nations as performers, composers, managers and leaders in all musical styles and genres. However, preconceptions about women in musical leadership such as sexism and patriarchal histories have limited opportunities for women in music up until the present day. Women’s struggle to wrest control of their careers mirrors that of women in other industries and gender parity in music is still a distant aspiration. The glass ceiling still exists for women in business and politics and my allusion to the glass harmonica in music aims to address the multifaceted and labyrinthine path of musical leadership. Despite the remaining imbalance, opportunities for women to realise their potential and take on leadership roles in music are increasing. The case studies of contemporary women in music leadership outlined in this book demonstrate that the future of women in musical leadership is bright. Efforts to address the gender imbalance in the music industry have been reinforced by successful role models and women in leadership positions. The women who have set the scene for women in musical leadership have opened up the possibilities for more women to be represented on the stage and in musical leadership contributing to the possibility of a gender balance in music. The engagement of women in musical leadership contributes to the removal of limitations for women’s equal participation in music and allows for the women’s voice to be heard in music.
