Gender Equity

While progress has been made, the representation of women and non-binary individuals remains far from equal across orchestra constituencies and budget groups, particularly for women of color.  Our EDI Data Hub reports on the latest statistics, while the links below provide helpful reading and next steps in connecting with organizations that are working to promote gender equity and address sexual discrimination. 

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Resources for Preventing Sexual Harassment

The League of American Orchestras encourages its members to follow these best practices in preventing sexual harassment and in responding to claims.  

Race to Lead: Women of Color in the Nonprofit Sector summary

As part of the Building Movement Project’s  Race to Lead initiative, this report confirms the long-assumed gender- and race-based disparities and presents implications of the intersectionality of gender and race in the nonprofit workforce.

Auditioning Behind Screens Had Little to do With Women’s Advancement in Orchestras, but Rather a Change in Attitudes 

A 2000 study by Harvard and Princeton economists that confirmed the success of blind auditions in increasing opportunities for women was challenged by scholars and data scientists.

Watch

Blind audition study: truth or myth?

Christina Hoff Sommers, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, explains why the “Blind Audition Study” was inaccurate.

Connect

The Women Composers Readings and Commissions Program

An initiative of the League of American Orchestras, in partnership with American Composers Orchestra (ACO) and supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Anne Parsons Leadership Program

An initiative from the League of American Orchestras, the program honors Anne Parsons, the transformative orchestra field leader and mentor who passed away in 2022, and aims to effect structural change by supporting women and non-binary orchestra professionals in their career progressions, and ultimately improving gender equity in executive orchestra leadership.

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program is made possible by generous support from Melanie Clarke, Colbert Artists Management, current and former orchestra executive directors, and arts leaders nationwide.

Women in Classical Music Symposium

The Dallas Symphony’s Women in Classical Music Symposium helps women reach their full potential professionally, while simultaneously acting as a catalyst for broad-scale change in the industry. Each year, it brings together industry leaders – as well as those just starting out – to engage in thought-provoking conversations, performances, and networking.