There is little doubt that sexism has existed in the trumpet world since the beginning. Just as racism and women’s equality in the work force have been a long hard battle, so has the female’s acceptance into the male dominated field of trumpet playing. With that said I will try to establish the history and background of this inequality and hopefully help the cause for its correction.
How it began
At the turn of the century (not this one, the previous one) it was the policy to have a piano in the home upon which the young ladies were expected to study and often entertain guests with their lady like, refined talents at the instrument. Young men were discouraged to perform on the instrument for it was considered too feminine an activity for a male. Thus, the assignment of male instruments and female instruments was established. This prejudice continued much longer than it should have and giving female’s a chance in the trumpet world was slow in coming. Typically the female instruments included the following, piano and the various woodwind instruments and strings. The males dominated the brass and percussion. I’m sure that I will be criticized for being too general in my opinions but please remember this is a short blog on a very large topic.
When did it start to improve?
When I first began my university teaching (1969) we had two full time trumpet instructors and of the 32 students studying trumpet only one was a female. At the present time at the same university, the trumpet enrollment stands at 21 and of that number 10 are females. Who and what was responsible for this adjustment? I have to give credit to the early few who stayed the course and entered the trumpet playing field to make their mark and begin to change history.
One such determined young lady was Barb Butler, formerly Professor of Trumpet at Northwestern University, Eastman School of Music and University of British Columbia. She was a high school student in Cedar Falls, Iowa and through my good fortune, I was able to know her and appreciate her determination to become a trumpet player. My first encounter with Barb was during a practice session before State Solo Ensemble contest. Her High School director asked me to give comments to his students before they tried out for contest. From the very first note, I knew that this student would be a leader in the movement. Barb’s playing was shockingly beautiful and I still remember what an impact it made on me. She was truly gifted and motivated even at that young age.
Another example of dedication and motivation would be the very talented trumpet player Susan Rider (currently a member of “The President’s Own” Marine Band), also from Cedar Falls. I first got to know and work with Susan while she was in high school. She was one of those students that was always concerned about others. She was/and is one of the kindest people I have known as well as being an outstanding trumpet player. From her earliest beginning she was focused on what she wanted and accomplished it to the highest degree.
Yet another woman from early years was Joan Force (award winning cornet soloist with the Eastern Iowa Brass Band) with the same background from Cedar Falls and similar success as a player. I would venture a guess that both Joan and Susan were influenced in some way by their predecessor Barb Butler. It is through the efforts and successes of these ladies that will and has continued to influence other young girls in their quest to become an accomplished and accepted trumpet player. My hat is off to the women such as these who have paved the way for other females in the trumpet world. Every state and country has similar stories and the movement continues to grow, as it should.
Is Bias Still Present?
The number of highly competent female trumpet players can never be established just as their male counterparts, but if you are interested in finding out more about this courageous and society changing niche of female players, you can begin with this small list- Alison Bolsom, Anna Callahan, Amy Schendel, Barb Buttler, Bette Eilers, Bibi Black, Bria Skonberg, Carole Dawn Reinhart, Cindy Bradley, Clora Bryant, Deb Wagner, Hilaria Kramer, Ingrid Jensen, Jane Sager, Jeanne Pocius, Judith Saxton, Karen Donnelly, Kiku Collins, Laurie Frink, Liesl Whitaker, Lina Allemano, Linda Brown, Marie Speziale, Rebecca Coup Franks, Saskia Laroo, Sherrie Tucker, Stacey Simpson, Susan Rider, Susan Sexton, Susan Slaughter, Takako Seimiya, the DIVA trumpet section, Tine Thing Helseth, Valaida Snow.
Bruce Chidester
Branson Trumpet Ensemble
I think times have changed on the issue of sexism. I am not a professional and can only attest to the goings on in the community music making sphere and what I see by my connections with professional players
I play in the highest ranking community band in my city. Its principal is a woman. There has never been any sexism at all in our ranks over the several years that I have been involved. It probably helps that she also plays 2nd trumpet with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and is a seriously fine player, well respected by both genders.
My teacher is principal with this same orchestra. He likes to point out my ‘blonde’ moments, but this is in no way sexist. My previous teacher lectures in trumpet at the Australian National University. For an unkind word to come out of his mouth would take constant badgering and coaxing, and then you probably won’t hear it. He is respected nationally as an important jazz artist and composer.
Admittedly, Canberra is a small city on a world scale and its population is considered highly educated. Males and females play side-by-side and I’ve not witnessed any discrimination. I am going back to uni to study music next year. It will be interesting to see what happens there, but I think anything I receive will be more a reflection of my age rather than gender.
On the flipside, my mother refused to let me play the cornet, as it just wasn’t a lady like instrument. I finally convinced her by asking for it as my 10th birthday present.
The year was 1981. It was a long time ago and things have certainly changed.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and I have only two points I would like to address at this time.
1. You can try to convince my blonde wife that the comment “blonde moment” is not a sexist comment but I wouldn’t advise it.
2. The older I get, the more pride I develop.
The very best to you and yours,
Bruce Chidester
Hi Bruce,
Great topic and a needed discussion! Yes, there still is sexism in the trumpet world although it is sometimes more subtle, sometimes not. You might want to check out my article on Bette Eilers that I did for the International Women’s Brass Conference journal about Bette, one of the honored by the IWBC as one of the pioneers and former 3rd Trumpet of the Lyric Opera of Chicago under Rodzinski. At one point in the 1950s, Rodzinski FIRED all of the female brass players!!!
Click on http://www.trumpetworkspress.com then click on “In the media” tab and scroll until you see the IWBC thumbnail. Bette was honored in that issue and I wrote and did the interview with her.
Bette also played on many recordings as an extra with the Chicago Symphony under Reiner
and many other conductors. She was one of the old great pros; you need to add her to your list above.
Bette was one of my mentors and is a phenomenal player and brilliant human being.
My second trumpet in my orchestra is a woman, and she is phenomenal.
Thank you for your comments and I will read your article this week. I will also add Ms. Eilers to my list so that others can read up on her achievements. The early pioneers in our field (regardless of sex) need to be honored for their contributions for we have all benefited from their efforts.
The very best to you and yours also,
Bruce Chidester
“This predigious continued much longer than it should have ”
Predigious what?
Or did you mean “Prejudice”?
I think the rationale is hogwash — there are certainly no shortage of male pianists throughout history including most of the major composers of any era. While I can’t speak to the turn of the (previous) century first hand, I played with and studied with many great female trumpeters in the 1960’s and since who are in my own age bracket – many were inspired by other female trumpet players.
I wouldn’t say “sexism” existed, but I wouldn’t doubt that the same feminist rights issues that plagued all females through most of the 19th and early 20th centuries carried into the music world. Doesn’t mean there weren’t female trumpet players or that they were all consigned to piano, just means they didn’t get the same pay or same promotion (lead) opportunities, but not for the reasons you cite.
Thank you for your comments and on several issues I agree with you, and a few I don’t. That’s why blogs can be interesting.
Issue #1.
You are absolutely correct in the spelling of the word prejudice.
Sometimes we rely on our spell check more than we should.
What I should have said was “sometimes a prodigious talent was hindered by a prejudiced mind set”.
Issue #2.
In your statement- I think the rationale is hogwash — there are certainly no shortage of male pianists throughout history including most of the major composers of any era.
I do believe in your statement “there are certainly no shortage”, you wanted to say “there (were) certainly no shortage(s)”
Issue #3
In your statement- I think the rationale is hogwash — there are certainly no shortage of male pianists throughout history including most of the major composers of any era.
I agree to your statement “there (were) certainly no shortage(s) of male pianists throughout history including most of the major composers of any era. But my statement “At the turn of the century (not this one, the previous one) it was the policy to have a piano in the home upon which the young ladies were expected to study and often entertain guests with their lady like, refined talents at the instrument. Young men were discouraged to perform on the instrument for it was considered too feminine an activity for a male, does not refer to the success of male piano players, it only states that in the average home, this attitude was the norm.
Issue #4.
In your statement- ….. I wouldn’t doubt that the same feminist rights issues that plagued all females through most of the 19th and early 20th centuries carried into the music world.
I totally agree.
Issue #5.
In your statement- Doesn’t mean there weren’t female trumpet players or that they were all consigned to piano, just means they didn’t get the same pay or same promotion (lead) opportunities, ………..
I totally agree.
I have enjoyed visiting with you and do hope that you will check back again.
Bruce Chidester
Thank you for opening this discussion. I know that bias against female brass players still exists, although it is less blatant than in the past and has been erased to an extent by the wonderful women performers of the last several decades.
Please add to your list Susan Enger, for 13 years principal trumpet with the Quebec Symphony and now a member of the Memphis Symphony.
When she came to me as a high school sophomore for her first lesson in 1971, she played a beautiful Charlier number 2 on the C trumpet, transposed down to A-flat minor !
….and thank you for visiting with us. I would also like to thank you for adding more names to our list for there are many female players out there who should be recognized for their playing.
We have come a long way to equalize the playing field but we still have a ways to go.
Stay well and stop back often.
This was a really interesting article. I’m a 10-yr-old trumpeter and the jazz band I play in has more female trumpeters than male (there’s only 1 boy). This seems to be the case for quite a few of the groups round here.
A female trumpeter I enjoy listening to is Alison Balsom – I’m not sure if she was on your list?
Thank you for visiting our site and I am aware of Alison Balsom’s playing. You have excellent taste in trumpet players.
I hope you find our articles helpful and if you have any questions about trumpets or trumpet playing, please contact us for we are always excited to hear from the younger players.
As an “old” player, I am excited to know that we are passing on the history and gift of trumpet playing to the next generation.
BC
Thank you, I do find it helpful being able to read things by more experienced trumpet players. I have recently published my own blog about playing the trumpet. It doesn’t have as much on it as yours but please have a look some time: http://www.mytrumpetandme.wordpress.com
Outstanding blog and I loved every section that you have posted.
Check with your parents and find out if it would be OK to feature you and your blog on my site. I’m sure everyone who reads my site would love to know more about you and your trumpet playing.
Your improvisation on your solo had a real jazzer feel.
Way to go girl!
If you would like me to write about your playing, I would need consent from your parents.
Keep practicing for that’s the only way we improve.
Let me know what you think.
Wow! Thank you so much for your comment; it means a lot to hear from an experienced trumpet blogger.
I’d love you to write on your blog about my playing – it would be a real honour. The email address on this comment is my Mum’s so you can check she agrees (she does!).
Thanks again, Hattie.
Please check out my great new video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omjUHdhlEUI