Running a programme for women conductors has given Keith Cerny insight into the challenges they face.
Many readers already know about the launch late last year of the Hart Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera. We had a very successful nine-day program, which culminated in a public concert featuring the six participating conductors. (You can see video of the concert here). This year, the program will last two full weeks, with a public concert featuring all six conductors at the end of each week.
To prepare for this year’s program, Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement and I reviewed the outstanding pool of applicants, ably supported by Assistant Artistic Administrator David Lomeli. We were delighted to have 156 applications to review this year, from 32 diverse countries including expected locations such as the United Kingdom, United States and Western Europe, but also countries where women face numerous challenges in securing leadership positions such as Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Greece, and South Korea. (By contrast, last year we had 103 applicants from 26 countries). In reviewing the applications, I observed a number of common themes. In this posting, I would like to present a range of quotes from the applicants’ personal statements that underscore five specific—and commonly shared—themes. The quotes have been lightly edited for clarity, and, in some cases, to preserve confidentiality... Keep reading on TheaterJones
Many readers already know about the launch late last year of the Hart Institute for Women Conductors at The Dallas Opera. We had a very successful nine-day program, which culminated in a public concert featuring the six participating conductors. (You can see video of the concert here). This year, the program will last two full weeks, with a public concert featuring all six conductors at the end of each week.
To prepare for this year’s program, Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and Principal Guest Conductor Nicole Paiement and I reviewed the outstanding pool of applicants, ably supported by Assistant Artistic Administrator David Lomeli. We were delighted to have 156 applications to review this year, from 32 diverse countries including expected locations such as the United Kingdom, United States and Western Europe, but also countries where women face numerous challenges in securing leadership positions such as Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Greece, and South Korea. (By contrast, last year we had 103 applicants from 26 countries). In reviewing the applications, I observed a number of common themes. In this posting, I would like to present a range of quotes from the applicants’ personal statements that underscore five specific—and commonly shared—themes. The quotes have been lightly edited for clarity, and, in some cases, to preserve confidentiality... Keep reading on TheaterJones