Research Shows Women Hold Approximately 7.9% of Music Directorships Worldwide

The Paris-based La Maestra Competition, the conducting competition featuring exclusively women, has released the results of a recent survey — which examines the proportions of women worldwide who hold the position of Music Director with a professional orchestra.

Of the 778 orchestras surveyed, 62 had a woman at the helm. While this 7.9% stake may seem low, it does represent an improvement when compared with the results of previous surveys: in 2019 the figure was just 5.9%, and even that was an increase from 4.3% in 2018.

The study also examined how well female conductors are faring in different countries. Belgium came out on top in this regard, with three out of eight "internationally renowned" Belgian orchestras being led by women. The conductors are Elim Chan of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Kristiina Poska at the Flanders Symphony Orchestra, and Speranza Scappucci of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège (though Scappucci has recently declined to renew her contract there).

Norway, the Netherlands, and Austria also fared well, and France entered the top 10 list for the first time, climbing ahead of Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland. The study noted that the United States had made three major appointments for female conductors and that this development "bodes well for the future". However, the news was not all good, with Germany and Russia — some of the most prominent musical nations — once again failing to break into the top 10.

La Maestra Competition is currently underway, having just announced its 14 candidates.