Sister Thomas conducting.
Servant Leader
The Conductor as the A
t the heart of the orchestra stands the conductor, who takes center stage at every performance. The conductor shapes the music, making critical musical decisions on dynamic, tempo, and balance. Not only do they need to be great leaders, but the best conductors are also able to interpret the same musical work performed countless times in new and enlightening ways. The role of the conductor is integral to music; however, a 2020 survey found that in a list of the 100 top conductors in the world, only eight were women. So why is a female presence on the conductor’s podium still rare, even in the 21st century?
“I think there are a lot of different reasons for that,” Dr. Beverly Everett said. Everett is the music director for the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra and a professor of organ at the University of Mary. “I think that it’s partly that the history of classical music comes so heavily out of the European traditions, and I think it has to do with how we view leadership roles and what makes a leader.” 5
Momentum
“If you think of a famous conductor, like Toscanini, these people were notorious for being a dictator on a podium and screaming at people, being a tyrant,” Everett said. She shared how she’s been told throughout her career to be more assertive, loud, and aggressive, traits that are generally considered to be more masculine, whereas women are naturally more nurturing and empathetic. The result? “Females still make up only about 15% of music directors in the United States,” Everett said.
