Women in classical music

Women are active in all aspects of classical music, such as instrumental performance, vocal performance, orchestral conducting, choral conducting, scholarly research, and contemporary composition. However, compared to men, they are represented and recognized, especially at higher levels, in much lower numbers. Although women have not had roles in symphony orchestras until recently, it has been much more common through the years for women to study musical instruments. In the 1800s, upper-class women were often expected to study an instrument, such as the harp, piano, guitar, or violin, or to learn to sing.