There's an intriguing 'glass ceiling' effect in classical music. Many women lead orchestras, and have done so for years, with supreme competence, but few make the jump to conductor. It would make a good project for a MPhil or PHD student from a Womens' Studies Department. They'd need to survey the women themselves - why they don't make the jump, what's holding them back, what specific prejudice have they encountered (I bet there are horror stories) would they even want the job, etc - and, more importantly, those who do the appointing: the musical directors, committees of great and good, the government ministers: the people who control the cash and the interview panel.

The big appointments are highly political. National orchestras represent national patriotic pride, and the conductor embodies the whole thing. Hence the question of who exactly waves their arms about in front of a top orchestra is a highly sensitive one. S/he represents national pride as expressed through high culture. No wonder the boys want to keep control!