American Institute of Applied Music facts for kids
The American Institute of Applied Music was a music school in New York City. It taught people how to play music and how to become music teachers. The school started in 1900. It was formed by joining four other music schools together.
Contents
How the School Started
The American Institute of Applied Music was created by combining these four schools:
- The Metropolitan College of Music (started in 1891)
- The Metropolitan Conservatory of Music (started in 1886)
- The Synthetic Piano School (started in 1887)
- The American Institute of Normal Methods
Kate Sara Chittenden helped start two of these schools. She was a very important person at the Institute. She was the Dean and led the piano department from 1892 until 1933.
What the School Taught
The school wanted to teach music very thoroughly. It focused on how to teach music, especially for students who wanted to become teachers themselves. About 350 students attended the school each year. By 1920, more than 1,000 teachers had earned certificates from the Institute. The school was located at 212 West 59th Street in New York City.
Official Recognition
Getting Approved
In 1928, the National Association of Schools of Music accepted the Institute as a member. This meant the school met high standards for music education.
School's Official Status
On June 25, 1900, the University of the State of New York officially recognized the American Institute of Applied Music. This allowed the school to operate and issue stock. The University of the State of New York oversees many colleges and schools in the state.
Important People at the School
School Leaders
- Edgar Oscar Silver (1860–1909), President
- John B. Calvert, D.D., President
Dean of the School
- Kate Sara Chittenden (1856–1949) was the first Dean. She also led the piano department for many years. She taught over 3,000 students during her life.
Teachers at the Institute
Many talented musicians and educators taught at the school, including:
- Modest Altschuler (1873–1963), a cellist and conductor
- Dudley Buck (1839–1909), a composer and organist
- Tom Karl (1846–1916), a tenor who led the vocal department
- Daniel Gregory Mason (1873–1953), a composer
- William Mason (1829–1908), another composer
- Janet Daniels Schenck (1883–1976), who later founded the Manhattan School of Music
- Henry Schradieck (1846–1918), a violinist
- Harry Rowe Shelley (1858–1947), an organist and composer
Famous Students
Many students who attended the American Institute of Applied Music became successful in music:
- Harry H. Sukman (1912–1984), a composer for TV shows like The High Chaparral
- George King Raudenbush (1899–1956), a violinist and orchestra conductor
- Alfred Piccaver (1884–1958), a famous opera singer
- Irene Stolofsky (1896-1950), a violinist
- Gertrude Hoag Wilson (1888-1968), a composer and pianist
- Mabel Madison Watson (1872-1952), a composer and music educator
