Perceptions of support and compassion among women brass players

The purpose of this study was to gather perceptions of support experienced by female brass players, and their relationships with colleagues and educators. This study focused on obtaining the lived experiences of female brass players with the creation of an original Qualtrics survey. The survey consisted of demographic questions, reflection of past experiences, and personal experiences among colleagues and mentors. A total of 278 participants completed the survey titled “Perceptions of Support and Compassion Among Women Brass Players.” The participants in the survey were 1) 18 years old or older, 2) identified as female, and 3) currently plays or in the past had played a brass instrument. The survey consists of 26 research questions, including both Likert and open-response questions. The survey was open for a three-week time period ranging from December 2021- January 2022. The participants of the survey represented a variety of demographic categories including age, primary instrument, level of musicianship, and level of education received. The results of this survey collected the experiences of female brass players, with the intent of developing practical suggestions, to aid in cultivating a more inclusive working environment for all musicians.