Oh Paper Topics

I had originally thought about writing my paper on Alva Belmont and her operetta which was composed as way to increase awareness about the women’s suffrage movement. I’m not so sure this is going to be possible. I am having trouble finding adequate source material for my paper, as I suspected I might.

Now I am thinking about expanding upon this topic and giving it a broader scope. If I research the use of music in the women’s suffrage movement in both England and America I think I may have more luck. I could discuss the importance of music as it relates to this cause; and hopefully find some of the lyrics or tunes that were used. It may also be interesting to see if any amateur and or professional female musicians of the day contributed any of their time to help with benefit concerts for this cause.

I would also be looking into the social structure of the time, what was going on that really propelled this movement, as well as other movements women were heavily involved with, for example, the temperance movement. In opening up the scope of my paper I hope to have more access to resources. I would also be able to include information I have found about Alva Belmont and her operetta in my paper, but not have that be the main focus.

I certainly have more research to do and I seem to change my mind about topics every time I begin actually doing research. I think this is topic idea number 5. I would really like to do something on female musicians but I am also very interested of the politics of the time. I thought music and its role in women’s suffrage would be a good way to encompass both of those ideas. I’ve had some success with research thus far in a very broad way, just more overview information. I’m wondering if this will almost become a paper on propaganda music.

If this idea doesn’t seem to have enough source material, I think my back up paper topic will be on a specific female musician of the age, preferably someone who kept a diary I can have access to. That paper would deal with the music, struggles, experiences, and the overall quality of life for a female musician.