Composer, Teacher. One of Missouri's most outstanding composers of children's music. After receiving a B.S. degree in 1881 from Pritchett School Institute in Glasgow, she continued her study of music in St. Louis, Chicago and Boston. She and her husband moved to Chicago where she began collaborating with Mrs. Alice Riley. During her lifetime she composed more than 600 songs, operettas and games that were used in many public schools and child training centers both in the United States and in foreign countries. She also originated a method of teaching music that became widely used in primary grades.Her quaint and simple methods for children were universally loved. "The Slumber Boat" has been sung in many languages. Of her works, the three volumes "Song of the Child World" are the most widely known. Her two sacred songs, "Birth and Resurrection" and "The Star of Bethlehem" won her recognition as a composer. Among her characteristic works are "The Discontented Duckling," "Sugar Dolly," and "Fireflies," and the recital songs "And I" and "The Riddle." In 1901 she established the Gaynor studio in St. Joseph, Missouri. She organized and was the first president of the St. Joseph fortnightly musical club.
Composer, Teacher. One of Missouri's most outstanding composers of children's music. After receiving a B.S. degree in 1881 from Pritchett School Institute in Glasgow, she continued her study of music in St. Louis, Chicago and Boston. She and her husband moved to Chicago where she began collaborating with Mrs. Alice Riley. During her lifetime she composed more than 600 songs, operettas and games that were used in many public schools and child training centers both in the United States and in foreign countries. She also originated a method of teaching music that became widely used in primary grades.Her quaint and simple methods for children were universally loved. "The Slumber Boat" has been sung in many languages. Of her works, the three volumes "Song of the Child World" are the most widely known. Her two sacred songs, "Birth and Resurrection" and "The Star of Bethlehem" won her recognition as a composer. Among her characteristic works are "The Discontented Duckling," "Sugar Dolly," and "Fireflies," and the recital songs "And I" and "The Riddle." In 1901 she established the Gaynor studio in St. Joseph, Missouri. She organized and was the first president of the St. Joseph fortnightly musical club.
Bio by: Connie Nisinger
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