League of American Orchestras doing good work: grants announced for women conductors

st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Would that I wouldn't have to write the word "women" in front of "conductors" above, but we still must as they continue to lag far behind men on the podium of orchestras, especially major ones. And this with more women playing in major orchestras then men now -- at least I think that is the case. If it isn't, the League of American Orchestra will correct me becuase it is admirably working on the issue of the unbalance.

Its latest effort is its awarding of grants to "Four Outstanding Women Conductors": Mihaela Cesa-Goje, Mei-Ann Chen, Alondra de la Parra and Annunziata Tomaro. They will each receive $10,000. It's not McArthur genius money, but it won't hurt. Neither will the attention to them and to the issue. I really can't wait until the next generation or so of women advancing in this field. Already there are many who are showing that Marin Alsop soon won't be the only woman at a major U.S. orchestra. You don't have to be a feminist to realize this imbalence is unhealthy for the industry and actually, simply wrong. We don't need affirmative action, per se, but fundamental support such as this to help overcome the lingering sexism or whatever it is that keeps half the population of talent musicians from legitimately competing for top positions here and elsewhere in the world.

Here is the presser:

  [New York, NY] The League of American Orchestras has awarded Grants to four Outstanding Women Conductors:  Mihaela Cesa-Goje, Mei-Ann Chen, Alondra de la Parra, and Annunziata Tomaro. The grants, of $10,000 each, are given to women conductors who have demonstrated that they are ready for national and international careers, committed to a career with American orchestras, and current members of the League. The recipients, selected by a committee of distinguished representatives from the orchestra field, will use the grants for expenses associated with their personal and professional development. The Women Conductors Grant Program is made possible through the generous support of the Gabilan Foundation, The Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation, Sage Foundation, and Argosy Foundation.

"These grants are designed to provide important career assistance to conductors who are already well on their way, and in so doing, advance the position of women conductors in America," said Jesse Rosen, President and CEO of the League.  "The level of talent and diversity of the four recipients bodes well for the future vitality of America's orchestras."