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Re: Women in Brass Bands

I've stirred up quite a conversation on the list with my editorial I'm
doing, haven't I?  A lot of interesting points have come out of it, and I
thank everyone for their opinions, plus the numerous emails I have received
privately.

I would like to reply however to Paul Warder's email, and to a number of
points he presents.

***
>(i) Women in bands do distract male members (!) from the job of playing,
and
>vice-versa. I know of several examples where bands have lost players over
>whos knocking who off (to use a polite euphemism!). ***

So does that mean the woman has to actually be a player in the band to cause
this type of trouble?   Surely a non-playing girlfriend or promiscuous wife
or purely a female band supporter could cause the same type of trouble
amongst the male players???    And Paul, you speak of all-male bands having
a "camaraderie and team spirit".  Well basically I'd have to say that if
this happened in a band, and the fellows were doing this behind their so
called mate's backs, there must be no camaraderie in that band in the first
place.

***
>(ii) Bands with couples or families mean that when you lose 1 player you
>lose 2, 3 or more players automatically. ***

Yes that's true, but now what are you saying?  That even fathers and sons or
brothers aren't allowed to be in the same all-male band?  And anyway if
people are happy and productive in a band you won't lose them.  If there is
a case that a band is losing players (male and female), perhaps that band
better look to itself, it's committee, it's organization, and find out what
the problem is in the first place and rectify it to retain their players.

***
>(iii) Women get pregnant and leave you with an empty chair for several
>months or more often than not (and quite understandably) dont come back at
>all. ***

True!  But then again the same happens in the work place and I don't see any
bans on women there.  Surely a woman can be a productive member of the team
for as long as the team has her, the same as a man can be - as he could
leave you with an empty chair for months with a medical condition that he's
suddenly been struck down with.

Interestingly a comment I received privately from a list member about an
ex-band he played with went further with the discrimination.  That
particular band had 3 golden rules for admission - no women, only white
people were allowed, and no gays.   I find this absolutely appalling.  And
where will it stop?

I would find it equally as disturbing mind you if there were an all-female
band also.  I remember years and years ago, and some of the Aussie list
members may remember it too, that at the State Solos in Victoria there was
an "Open Lady's Section", the reason behind this is a loss to me.

But I thank all for the discussion.  Monkey and I have kissed and made up
(in a manner of speaking!!!) and we will agree to disagree.

But one final thing I'd like to say.  Over here in Australia we look to
England as the "home of brass banding" and I guess aspire to be more like
the English bands.  I mean look for instance at the sell-out concerts over
here for Grimethorpe, we were totally inspired.  And truly, I honestly did
not know until I came on this list that there were bands in the world that
had actual "rules" that they were all-male.  And even throughout my
researching I've still yet to confirm that there are such bands in Australia
still in existence.  So maybe it's actually Australia at the forefront of
brass-banding?  Or at least we're operating within the current decade.

Thanks all for a spirited debate.

Carol Wills
Footscray-Yarraville City Band
Melbourne, Australia

(Comments are my own, not that of the band)


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