Edwina Florence Wills facts for kids

Edwina Florence Wheeler Wills (born December 5, 1915 – died December 1, 2002) was an amazing American artist and composer. She was also a talented musician who played both the cello and the piano. Edwina was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and she studied at Grinnell College, where she earned her bachelor's degree. On February 3, 1939, she married Luther Max Wills, and together they had four children.

Who Was Edwina Wills?

Edwina Wills was a very creative person who loved both music and art. She spent her life making beautiful music and creating wonderful artworks. She was known for her skills as a cellist, a piano player, a composer, a painter, and a sculptor.

Her Musical Journey

Edwina Wills was a dedicated cellist. She played in several symphony orchestras, which are large groups of musicians who play classical music together. She performed with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra in Iowa. Later, she played in the Salem and Eugene Symphony Orchestras in Oregon.

Becoming a Principal Cellist

In 1971, Edwina achieved a special role: she became the principal cellist in the Portland Chamber Orchestra. The principal cellist is like the leader of the cello section, often playing important solo parts.

Teaching Music

Besides performing, Edwina also shared her musical knowledge with others. She taught chamber music at Lewis & Clark College, which is when small groups of musicians play together. She also taught cello at Washington State University.

Her Artistic Creations

Edwina Wills was not only a musician but also a gifted visual artist. She loved to sculpt and paint. She worked with different types of paint, including oil and watercolor.

Exhibiting Her Art

Her artworks were so good that they were shown at the famous Art Institute of Chicago. This is a big honor for any artist!

A Unique Chess Set

One of her most interesting art projects was a special chess set. It was designed in a medieval style, like something from old castles and knights. This set included eight unique sculptures, such as a king, a queen, and other chess pieces.

Her Musical Compositions

Edwina Wills also composed her own music. Composing means writing original pieces of music. Here are some of her notable compositions:

• Fugue in F Major: This piece was written for the piano. A fugue is a type of musical composition where different parts play the same melody at different times, creating a layered sound.
• Radiance and Glory: This composition was written for several instruments and voices, including violin, cello, voice, and piano. It was based on words written by Giovanni Giocondo, a famous person from history.
• String Quartet in g minor: This piece was written for a string quartet, which is a group of four string instruments (usually two violins, a viola, and a cello). This composition was very special because it won first prize in the Washington State Federation of Music Clubs Competition in 1941!
• Theme and Variations: This piece was written for cello and piano. In music, a "theme and variations" means a main melody is introduced, and then it's played again and again in different, creative ways.