Become enlightened with regard to the disadvantages women in music have faced and continue to face as composers, performers, conductors, educators, and scholars in the world of art music and popular music.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about women in music than just the “last” paragraph in music history textbooks? Learn more about “herstory” (history from a feminist perspective) with regard to women in music in the course Women, Music, and Society.

This course will widen your perspective about women in music and push you to think more critically about the past, present, and future of women in music.  Specifically, with regard to:

• the accomplishments of women in music; as composers, performers, conductors, educators, and scholars
• the works by women composers through primary and secondary source materials and through the analysis of musical works.

Students genuinely interested in music and women in music should consider taking this course. No prior musical knowledge or experience is required.  All students are welcome, regardless of gender. The “male perspective” is particularly welcomed.  Undergraduate students interested in a minor in Music or a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as well as graduate students in the M. Ed. in Arts Education or the CAGS Individualized Interdisciplinary program should consider this course. 

SUMMER I (ONLINE)  May 29 - June 29, 2018

Women, Music, and Society  MUSC 3900  CRN 42127

Topics:  Women, Music, and Society  MUSC 8011  CRN 42142

Topics include:

Missing Voices in the Documentation of Music Traditions
Feminism and Women’s Suffrage
Medieval Liturgical Roots
“World” Music

Gender Spheres in Art Music
Court Performers of Japan, India, and Europe
Baroque Keyboard and Vocal Genres
18th century Classicism
19th century Performers/Composers

Visual Images in an Aural World
American Popular Music
Empowered Gospel and Blues
Marketing of Women Performers

Impact of Education on Women’s Art Music
Gender Roles
Segregation/Integration
Large-Scale/Experimental Works

No Longer “One of the Boys”
Women in Instrumental to Jazz
Technology and Women
Mass Music Market

Thank you to Dr. Fiske for contributing to this blog.

Dr. Jane Fiske, Professor of Humanities, Music
Fitchburg State University

Dr. Fiske is Professor of Humanities, and former Department Chair and Interim Dean at the university. Her dissertation research focused on “Women Music Educators in Higher Education.” She formed The Euterpe Trio, an all-woman chamber music trio dedicated to the performance of women composers. She performs solo piano music by women composers, conducts research on women in music, presents on women in music, and has recorded piano works featuring the music of Clara Schumann.