Confessions of a ‘Composeress’ – Annie Gosfield

This particular article describes a female composer’s, or “composeress” as Ms. Gosfield refers to herself, take on what it means to be a woman in the music industry. She broaches the controversial topic of gender inequality and discusses the idea that women are not thought of as being as competent as men in this field because women are not as spontaneous or assertive and are generally unrepresented in the music industry. Ms. Gosfield denies this generalization, instead saying that she declares herself to be “alive, represented, served, eager to take risks and downright dogged when it comes to asking for things.” Annie Gosfield does not believe that being a female is a disadvantage, not in any way, not in the music industry. She insists that it only makes her more recognizable, with more distinguishing characteristics than a typical composer. Ms. Gosfield has also had to face criticism on the account that some feel her music does not sound like it was written by a woman. “Music is music: I don’t believe it has recognizable male or female characteristics…I revel in aggressive noise, loud metal percussion and samples of machinery as much as I revel in quiet, subtle shifts in pitch. I enjoy confounding any cliched notion of what “women’s music” should sound like.”

Personal Thoughts: I can definitely understand Annie Gosfield’s perspective on women in music, and I tend to agree with her. Women are largely underestimated in most fields, music being only one of them. I have not been criticized for the same reasons as Ms. Gosfield, but I have been told the music I choose to listen to is not ladylike or appropriate for a girl. Every now and then, I end up having a conversation with someone who feels that I listen to the “wrong” music, including members of my own family. Like Ms. Gosfield, I enjoy heavier music – intense vocals, layers of electric guitars, crashing drums, industrial sounds. I have even been told that I do not look like someone who listens to metal. Ms. Gosfield and I will continue to defy common stereotypes and do what we love, be it specifically feminine or not.