Dear Forum Members:

I thought you and the other Members of this Forum (particularly women players) might enjoy the following anecdote.

RE: Doriot Dwyer ---

A humorous “side-bar” about Mrs Dwyer is, as follows:

In the 50s’, Mrs Dwyer was the principal flutist of the Hollywood Bowl Symphony, as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic --- before she was appointed as Principal flutist of the BSO. (Not a “three-piece” band, by the way).

What I find amusing (and this relates to my “Men versus Women flutists post) --- is that at the time she auditioned for the position as Principal flutist of the BSO, the musical director (50s’) at that time was notoriously sexist. He felt that women could never be as accomplished as men.

This happened at a time when, apparently, the Musicians’ Union sued the BSO, and required that ALL auditions be held “behind a screen”, in which the musician could NOT be seen by (him) --- but only “heard”.

When Mrs. Dwyer played at the audition, the (former) music director, who was notoriously sexist, said: “HE has a “big” sound --- marvelous vibrato, technique and sonority!” I choose HIM to succeed (Georges Laurent) as my Principal !”

Can you imagine the expression of horror on his face, when out, from behind the screen, stepped a diminutive (some 5 feet, 8 inches tall ---and can’t weigh more than 120 lbs, soaking wet) --- a WOMAN! (Gasp!). However, the die was cast--- and Mrs Dwyer continued to remain, unchallenged, the Principal flutist of the BSO, for some 38 years.

There is a remarkable interview between James Galway and Doriot Dwyer, which is on “Google” --- and I must find. It lasts about 30 minutes and is VERY worth listening to. I’ll post it when I find it.

But, so much for “women flutists” not being as good as male flutists. I do, incidentally, get this info straight from the horse’s mouth --- from a former male member (flutist) of the BSO, at the time Mrs Dwyer was appointed Principal flutist of the BSO.

For those of you who wonder why Jimmy Pappoutsakis wasn’t appointed Principal flutist --- he declined, because he didn’t want the “responsibilities”. He CAN be heard, on previous “Boston Pops” recordings.

Regards to all, Jim Millen

For a rendition of Doriot Dwyer's audition for the Boston Symphony according to her, enter this URL in your browser and then go to page 50. http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11132007-163128/unrestricted/keanmonograph.pdf This is a "monograph" written by Kristen Elizabeth Kean for her doctorate at Louisian State University in 2007. Titled "First Flute: The Pioneering Career of Doriot Anthony Dwyer," it is based on interviews with Ms. Dwyer. It does appear that Maestro Munch was aware that Doriot was well aware that Doriot was a woman when she took the audition.