Women as classically-trained trumpet players in the United States

Abstract

This study identifies women in the United States who were trained in the classical tradition and chose to perform trumpet professionally as their full-time career choice during the period of the mid-nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. Although many classically-trained female trumpet players have developed successful professional careers in the genres of jazz and commercial music, specific focus for this study is on classical solo and chamber artists, members of full-time professional symphony orchestras, and members of professional bands. It examines the performance opportunities that were available to female trumpeters, the music they performed, and whether or not they encountered particular challenges arising from their attempts to succeed professionally in a discipline mostly dominated by men. Chapter Two (Brass Bands and the Golden Age of Cornet) discusses the opportunities created by the professional band movement, which allowed women to perform as section players and also as featured cornet soloists. Chapter Three (Women's Ensembles and the Transition from Cornet to Trumpet) focuses on the development of the orchestra and the initiative taken by women in creating their own ensembles. Chapter Four (New Opportunities Resulting from World War II) examines the performance opportunities for women created by men leaving their positions to serve in the armed forces. Chapter Five (Women in Major Symphony Orchestras) examines the initial acceptance of female trumpeters into the major professional symphonies. Appendix A is a list of women who obtained positions in symphony orchestras, and Appendix C provides transcripts of interviews with select orchestral and solo performers: Barbara Butler, Joyce Johnson-Hamilton, Susan Slaughter, and Marie Speziale.

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