Seattle Vocational Institute

Seattle Vocational Institute

Seattle Vocational Institute

The music profession—characterized by its organizations, composers, and performers—was a male-dominated field around the turn of the century. Late nineteenth century American women challenged their confinement to the home as they pursued greater public roles in politics, suffrage, social reform, and education. However, women were still excluded from the musical establishment, so they began to form their own music associations within thousands of communities across the nation.

The Ladies Musical Club of Seattle (LMC)—formed in 1891 by twenty-four musically trained women—was one of these all-female music clubs that catered to female performers and composers. This club (and its counterparts) first consisted of middle-class white women—women who suppressed their youthful musical backgrounds to focus their time and energy on marriage, children, and social work. An early club goal centered on expanding the talent, skills, and knowledge of these musically inclined women.

LMC Membership

Besides married women who sought to revive their musical pasts, LMC membership also consisted of unmarried students, experienced artists who wanted to further their careers, and single women who were music teachers. Over the years, membership grew; potential members auditioned through invitation only. Members were expected to perform regularly, either alone or in groups.