Final answer:
Arguments against the musicianship of women featured in a letter to Downbeat seemed to stem not from their musical abilities, but from broader societal issues and stereotypes related to women's roles and capabilities. Dale Trumbore has called for more focus on systemic inequalities in music education and programming rather than superficially spotlighting women composers.
Step-by-step explanation:
It appears that a key argument against the musicianship of women musicians featured in a letter written to Downbeat was not explicitly mentioned. However, by examining the provided context and references, we can infer that the musicianship itself was not directly questioned; rather, the opposition focused on issues outside of their musical abilities. For instance, women's suffrage opponents levied personal attacks against women's character and moral purity rather than addressing their capabilities or role in public affairs. Similarly, Dale Trumbore emphasizes the systemic inequality and biases in music education, noting that the educational system has historically revered the compositions of white, European men over others, rather than critiquing the actual talent or musicianship of women composers.
Trumbore has vocalized her frustrations with the need to continuously address the topic of women in music and has called for a shift away from simply theming concerts around 'Music by Women' as if it's a novelty. Moreover, she challenges the classical music world to address the systemic inequalities that lead to a lack of diverse compositions in concert programs and education. Letters to the editor also historically challenged not the ability of women to serve in certain roles, but rather relied on stereotypes questioning emotional stability and intelligence, which in turn created a public perception that did not directly challenge women's musicianship.