The Lived Experiences of Women Applied Clarinet Faculty

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of women working as full-time collegiate applied clarinet faculty. The fields of academia and music have been historically dominated by White men as evidenced in existing scholarship. Because of this, women (and especially women of color) face challenges disproportionate to their peers. While existing scholarship is available to explore the role of gender in academia and in music, scholarship conducted to date does not address the complexities of women working as applied instrumental faculty. Applied instrumental faculty members are typically expected to teach in a one-on-one lesson setting (and in a classroom setting at some institutions), complete university service, and engage in scholarly and creative activity. The unique dynamic of individualized lesson instruction and consistent engagement in clarinet performance presents uncharted territory to explore as it relates to gender. Through a qualitative multiple case study consisting of three participants from public institutions throughout the United States, findings were gathered in the following categories: a) gender in the current workplace, b) teaching, service, and scholarly/creative activity, c) hiring, tenure, and promotion, and d) concluding advice. The selection of these categories provided a holistic overview of the multifaceted career demands of applied clarinet faculty. Data was collected from each participant through a pre-interview questionnaire and a synchronous online interview. Data was analyzed through a phenomenological lens with the goal of elucidating the lived experiences of participants, and I adopted a critical feminist perspective by relying on frameworks established in existing feminist scholarship. Through this study, I aim to establish a foundation for further scholarship on gender and applied instrumental faculty. I hope to provide a platform for women serving as applied instrumental faculty to share their stories with the goal of achieving meaningful change in the academy and the musical sphere at large.