I probably should put on body protection before I say this.....

I think it's also an issue of how music genre's rise and fall in popularity. Some may argue about this, but jazz is more popular in Europe than in the USA. No, that doesn't mean that there are not good musicians in jazz and any other style of music in the USA. But have you seen any big bands like Kenton, Basie, ect., lately?
Sandra, there are a lot of great lady musicians here. I know because I play with them every week in 2 bands and a brass quartet. I'm talking percussion, woodwinds, brass (both high and low). Since I don't play in any orchestras, I can't comment on the strings, but I sure see a lot of ladies playing strings on TV. Perception is another issue. How many times do we hear the audience applause just because a singer sings a high note? In other words, our cultural appreciation of "popular" music has changed quite dramatically, IMO. And then, "There's no accounting for taste."--as the old cliche' goes. How "classical" music has managed to survive is quite a miracle, IMO.

Stan

Cornet Curmudgeon