Women, Music, Culture: An Introduction

Women, Music, Culture: An Introduction is an undergraduate textbook on the contributions of women in music. Covering the major historical art-music periods as well as a number of popular and world music styles, it uses a wide variety of musical examples to bring biographical and historical information to life. Students are challenged to actively engage with the material, and to think critically about the power of perspective in historical narrative. Guided Listening Experiences teach students how to listen and analyze numerous styles and genres, from the sonata form of a Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel trio to the interplay of musician, space, and reverberation in Pauline Oliveros' "Lear," or the cyclical harmonic progression of a Bessie Smith blues song. Critical Thinking questions throughout the textbook reinforce main points and actively engage readers in considering issues such as gender and control in music. how spiritual tradition is intertwined with music, and how women in music are perceived cross-culturally.

Women, Music, Culture: An Introduction examines a community of women involved in the world of music, including composers, producers, consumers, performers, technicians, mothers, educators, and listeners.