28th Annual Student Research Conference
Women in Music in Antiquity: Their Life, Involvement, and Comparison to Modern-Day Female Musicians
Lynnea D. Wootten♦
Prof. Shirley McKamie and Dr. Bridget Thomas, Faculty Mentors
The existence of women musicians has a long history. Dating all the way back to ancient Greece, Sappho, c. 640-550 BCE, was a remarkable lyric poet. Musicians lived very differently in Antiquity, and through an examination of literature and artifacts, their experiences come to life. Within an analysis of these resources, parallels can be drawn to similar situations of women facing challenges in the music world today. Social status, stereotypes based on sex, and public expectations of performers were all things that women faced as they pursued musical careers in Antiquity. Also, the acceptance of a profession in music for a female was quite limited. This investigation sheds light on the struggles faced and explains how women in ancient Greece and Rome were able to overcome these obstacles.
Keywords: Music, Female, Antiquity, Gender
Topic(s):Music
Classics
Women's and Gender Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 307-3
Location: OP 2117
Time: 1:30