Composer Series: Amy Beach

The second composer in our series—Amy Beach!

Amy Beach 
9/5/1867 - 12/27/1944 

Amy Beach was an American Composer and pianist. 

Amy was capable of improvising counter-melody by age two, and at age four, she composed four waltzes for piano.  

Beach’s “Gaelic Symphony” was the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. 

Amy was one of the first US composers to have her music recognized in Europe, and THE first classical US composer to achieve success without the benefit of European study. 

Our favorites: 
Mass in E-flat (premiered 1890) 
Gaelic Symphony (1894) 
Sonata for Piano and Violin (1896) 
Piano Concerto (1900) 
Variations on Balkan Themes (1904)

Book Giveaway!

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More Ways Music Can Change Your Life is truly an inspirational book. Now we want to hear your story!

Tell us about how music has changed and inspired you in the comments and we’ll choose one person to win their own copy of this amazing book!

Comment your quote or story by midnight this Sunday, and we’ll announce the winner on Monday!

#iplayhere

Composer Series: John Phillip Sousa

We’re kicking off the new year with the start of our composer series! And our first feature—John Phillip Sousa! Snack on these bite-size facts and pay attention—there just may be an end of the week quiz with an opportunity to win a prize!

John Phillip Sousa 
“The American March King” 
11/06/1854 - 03/06/1932 

John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era. He was known primarily for military marches. 

Sousa began his music education by playing the violin, piano, flute, several brass instruments, and singing. Violin was Sousa’s primary instrument. 

Sousa’s father enlisted 13-year-old John in the United States Marine Corps as an apprentice. 

After learning to conduct, Sousa returned to the Marine Band at the age of 26, but as its head. He remained the conductor until 1892. 

Sousa wanted a tuba that could sound upward and over the band—and so the sousaphone was created. 

Sousa wrote over 130 marches.

Our Favorites:
The Washington Post
The Gallant Seventh
Stars and Stripes Forever
The Belle of Chicago
Semper Fidelis