Eunice Lea Kettering facts for kids

Eunice Lea Kettering (born April 4, 1906 – died March 9, 2000) was a talented American composer and professor. She wrote many musical pieces, and nearly 20,000 copies of her work were published. Eunice Kettering made history as the first woman in the United States to become a Fellow in the American Guild of Organists. This is a special honor for organ players and composers.

Her Early Life

Eunice Kettering was born in Savannah, Ohio, on April 4, 1906. When she was just three years old, she became an orphan. She was then adopted by Adam and Cora Kettering in Ashland, Ohio. Adam Kettering was a car dealer and the brother of a famous inventor, Charles F. Kettering. Eunice started writing music when she was only six years old! She passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 9, 2000, at the age of 93.

Becoming a Musician

Eunice Kettering loved music and studied hard. She went to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In 1929, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree there. Later, in 1931, she had the amazing chance to study music composition with famous teachers. One of her teachers was the well-known composer Béla Bartók. In 1933, she earned another degree, a master's in sacred music.

Her Work as a Teacher and Composer

Eunice Kettering spent many years teaching music. She was a professor at Madison University in Virginia for three years. After that, she taught music for 23 years at Ashland University in Ohio. While teaching at Ashland, she also wrote and performed many of her own musical pieces.

In 1959, she retired from teaching early and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. A few years later, in 1962, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was in Albuquerque that she wrote most of her music. Two of her compositions were even recorded! Her music was played in colleges, churches, universities, and on radio stations. It's amazing that almost 20,000 copies of her work were published. She was also a member of several important music groups, like the National Association of American Composers and Conductors.

Awards and Honors

Eunice Kettering received many awards for her musical talents.

• In 1943, the National Federation of Music Clubs gave her first place for a special piece for choir and orchestra.
• They also gave her a special award in 1968 and another for helping other composers in 1970.
• In 1972, she won first place in several categories from the National League of American Pen Women. These included awards for choir music, piano music, and vocal songs.
• In 1958, the Junior Music Club in Ashland, Ohio, was even renamed the Eunice Kettering Music Club in her honor.
• She also won first place in 1961 from the Annual Institute for Education by Radio and Television.

One of her biggest achievements was being the first woman to become a Fellow in the American Guild of Organists. This shows how important and respected she was in the world of music.