The More, the Better? A Four-Nation Study of the Inclusion of Women in Symphony Orchestras

Abstract

T7his article explores what happens when members of one identity group enter an elite institution that historically has been dominated by another. Specifically, we examine associations between the gender composition of professional symphony orchestras and several outcome measures - players' reports about orchestral functioning, the quality of members' relationships, and their own motivation and satisfaction. Analyses draw on quantitative, qualitative, and historical data collected for a comparative study of 78 symphony orchestras in four nations: the U.S., the United Kingdom, the former East Germany, and the former West Germany. Outcome measures decline as women's representation increases until the proportion of women approaches 50%. Then, the dowvnward trend flattens or reverses for many variables. The dynamics of gender integration are found to dffer (1) at low versus moderate levels offemale representation, and (2) as a function of national context. What happens as members of one identity group become an increasing presence in an organization or institution that has long been dominated by another that is, when the history of identity group exclusivity is being altered? This question can be -asked of blacks entering traditionally white organizations, and vice versa. It can be asked of Palestinians entering traditionally Israeli organizations, and vice versa. And it can be asked of women entering traditionally men's organizations, and vice versa.