Eliza Woods facts for kids

Eliza McCalmont Woods (born November 28, 1872 – died February 9, 1961) was an American composer and pianist. She received a special award called the Peabody Diploma for Distinguished Musicianship, showing she was a very talented musician.

Her Musical Journey

Eliza Woods lived in Baltimore, Maryland, her whole life. She began studying music at the Peabody Conservatory in 1886. A conservatory is a special school where people learn to play music. She learned from many great teachers there, including Asger Hamerik and Ernest Hutcheson.

In 1894, Eliza Woods earned the Peabody Diploma for Distinguished Musicianship. She was one of the youngest students to get this award, and only the twelfth person ever to receive it!

After she graduated, Eliza taught piano at the Peabody Preparatory School. This is a school where younger students learn music. In 1909, she became a teacher at the main Peabody Conservatory. She stopped teaching full-time in 1943. However, she continued to help out for many years as an examiner and substitute teacher at the Preparatory School.

Her Compositions

Eliza McCalmont Woods wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of her works:

Music for Small Groups

This type of music is called chamber music. It's written for a few instruments to play together, not a big orchestra.

• A long piece for piano called a Piano sonata
• Music for four string instruments (like violins and cellos) called a String quartet
• A piano piece called "Way Down Upon the Sewanee River – Theme & Variations"

Music for Shows

She also wrote music for musical theatre, which are plays that include songs.

• "Fairy Rose" (This was written for children, with words by Virginia Woods Mackall)
• "Runaway Song" (Also for children, with words by Virginia Woods Mackall)

Music for Orchestra

She composed music for a large group of instruments known as an orchestra.

• A big piece called "Grand Opera Finale"
• An opening piece called an "Overture"

Music for Singers

Eliza Woods wrote vocal music, which means music for people to sing.

• Different songs
• A special kind of song for two choirs called Fugue for Two Choirs
• A song called "The Sun and I" (with words by Lucy Janney Miller)