Grace Chadbourne facts for kids
Grace Runnion Wassall Chadbourne (1870 – June 9, 1919) was a talented American composer, pianist, and singer. She wrote many beautiful songs, mostly for singers.
Grace was born in 1870. In 1890, she married Joseph William Wassall, and they had two children, Ellen and LeRoy. Later, she married Thomas Lincoln Chadbourne in 1906. The Chadbournes lived in different places like London, Minnesota, and New York.
Early Life and Musical Training
Grace Chadbourne loved music from a young age. She studied at the Minneapolis School of Music, Oratory and Dramatic Art. She also learned from famous music teachers like Frank Bibb and Bernhard Ziehn.
Grace also attended Oscar Seagle's Summer Music Colony in Schroon Lake, New York. She was a very active musician. She played piano for other singers, sang by herself, and was part of a vocal quartet (a group of four singers).
Facing Challenges and Family Life
In 1909, Grace faced some health challenges. She found comfort and help through Christian Science. This helped her feel better.
Later that year, her first husband, Joseph Wassall, sadly passed away in a yacht accident. Her daughter, Ellen, had been living with her father. After his death, Grace's second husband, Thomas Chadbourne, adopted her son LeRoy.
Her Musical Works
Grace Chadbourne's music was published by the John Church Company. Her songs were released under both her married names, "Wassall" and "Chadbourne." Famous singers like Johanna Gadski and David Bispham performed her compositions.
All of Grace's known compositions were written for voice. Here are some of her well-known songs:
- "Busy Child"
- "Cakes and Ale"
- "Concerning Love"
- "Doll's Calendar" (with words by Nora Archibald Smith)
- "Feast of the Doll" (with words by Nora Archibald Smith)
- "February and November"
- "Green Singing Book" (with words by Josephine Preston Peabody)
- "Hymn for Solo Voice: At Morn, at Noon, at Twilight Dim" (with words by Edgar Allan Poe)
- "Journey"
- "Masterpiece"
- Shakespeare Song Cycle (with words by William Shakespeare)
- "Source" (with words by Josephine Preston Peabody)
- "Window Pane Songs" (with words by Josephine Preston Peabody)
- "Windy Nights" (with words by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Grace Runnion Wassall Chadbourne passed away on June 9, 1919. Her beautiful music continues to be remembered.
