Music & Gender
Women in Music Education
I would say that this is the hardest blog I have had to write so far. There are so many possible topics for music and gender and I want to do it justice and write about something that matters to me. For this blog, I would like to discuss women in music education and how they affect the world around us. As a future music educator myself, this topic is very important to me personally. So, with that being said, lets all dive into the world of women in music education.
All throughout history women have always had significant influence in the growing field of music education. They taught music in their homes and communities, but unfortunately, women's experiences with their music careers are missing from the historical narrative. That is why historians today are trying to make "invisible" women who went unnoticed are now being noticed by us today. People sometimes have the common misconception that music education is strictly teaching music, but there is so much more to it. Music educators are not limited to actual teachers, but this field includes district supervisors, leaders in music organizations such as NAFME (national association for music education), researchers, people in transcription, arranging, and composition. Another way that others played significant roles in music education by founding schools of music through their work. For example, Julia Etta Crane was a vocal American music educator and the first woman to create a school for music.
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| Julia Etta Crane (1855-1923) |
Julia Etta Crane was now of the most important founders of our nation's music education over one hundred years ago, but until now, her story was not publicly known. Her school was promptly named "The Crane School of Music" and her mission was to educate as many children as she could through music. Due to the creation of her school, thousands of music teachers have earned their degrees from her institute and have gone on to develop their own unique music programs all over the world. Her school is still up and running today at the University in Potsdam, New York. Without her, we would have a lot less music educators teaching in the world today.
Women in the music world were suppressed for many years due to the past male community. They didn't believe that women had creative abilities. Music critics in the 1880s argued that women "lacked the innate creativity to compose good music" due to "biological predisposition" which is just a huge load of, I'm going to say it, crap. Women also fought against other challenges as well, like equal pay. Women in music didn't get paid as much as the men because they weren't viewed as equals. These issues and stereotypes are slowly dying out as new women role models are starting to emerge. I hope that one day I can be a role model for my students and guide them in the right direction. I have really big shoes to fill but that is okay, I am always up for a challenge!
“Julia Ettie Crane and Her Dream.” Suny Potsdam. Accessed January 12, 2023. https://www.potsdam.edu/about/college-history/potsdam-stories/julia-ettie-crane-and-her-dream.
Hi Abbey, thank you for letting us know about Julia Etta Crane! Yes I totally agree with you that "Without her, we would have a lot less music educators teaching in the world today. " I think women in music has a lot of good creative ideas, which is very nice, and they have many ability or elements that most men doesnt or are lacking of, which could include more careful, more patient, more sympathy etc. I really hope the equality of gender could come true soon, and hope your dream come true!
ReplyDeleteHey Abbey! This was very good blog entry and it definitely shined some much needed light on to female music educators. Without them our music world would not be where it is today, its a shame that so many women have been overlooked throughout history.
ReplyDeleteI also found Julia Crane's story very interesting and its super cool that so many people have went to her school to chase their dreams!
I love this so much! Not that it happens to women but that you brought it up. Music education is such a cliquey place. I’m happy that now people are normalizing women in this job field, and I know one day you will be an amazing band director!
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing exciting information about women in music education. I found your blog very interesting because I never knew about Julia Crane. It is unfortunate how women were mostly recognized for teaching at schools but not for composing or teaching music. I am so thankful we live in a time where women are recognized more in the music world!
I've never heard of Julia Crane before but I'm glad I have now! Her story about paving the way for female music educators is truly inspiring, thank you for sharing it! It's amazing to be classmates with future music educators who are female because of how much you and the others care about representing women in music! I can't wait to see the amazing things you do in your career.
ReplyDeleteHey Abbey! I really enjoyed learning about Julia Etta Crane! You're absolutely right, women made huge contributions to Music Education and too often go unrecognized.
ReplyDeleteThis is a noble path you have chosen. Children are our future and music is so important for brain development. I know you will do well in music education because you have a passion for it, which is apparent in your writing. I'd never heard crane candlelight. Loved this!
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