Helen Searles Westbrook facts for kids

Helen Searles Westbrook (born October 15, 1889 – died 1967) was a talented American musician. She was known as both a composer, who wrote original music, and an organist, someone who plays the organ.

About Helen Westbrook

Helen Westbrook started playing the organ when she was just eleven years old. Her first teacher was her own mother, who was also an organist. Helen then went on to study at the American Conservatory. There, she learned from several famous teachers like Arthur Dunham and Adolf Weidig. She was a very bright student and even won a gold medal and a special award for young American artists! Later, she married James Westbrook.

Her Musical Career

Helen Westbrook became a well-known organist in Chicago. She often played the organ in theaters, providing music for movies or shows. She also performed with the famous Chicago Opera Company and played as a solo organist with the Chicago Symphony.

Helen even had her music featured on the radio! Her song "Dusk at Friendship Lake" was used as the theme song for a program on WGN radio for CBS. Besides performing, she was also the music director at Central Church in Chicago.

Helen was part of important music groups, including the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). This group helps protect the rights of musicians. She was also a member of the Chicago Club of Women Organists. She even helped organize a music contest for organ compositions in 1954.

Helen Westbrook also released some of her music for people to listen to at home. She had a 33 rpm record called "Helen's Holiday." She also released three 45 rpm records with other artists, Cecil Roy and Betty Barrie. These records included songs like "Buddy's Butterfly" and "Christmas Eve."

Her Musical Creations

Helen Westbrook wrote many different pieces of music. Here are some of her compositions:

Organ Music

• Andante Religioso
• Chanson Triste
• Concert Piece in D
• Dusk at Friendship Lake
• Here Comes Santa Claus
• Intermezzo
• Laughing Sprites
• Lento
• Melodie
• Menuett in Olden Style
• On the Ontonagon River
• Pastorale Scherzo
• Poem for Autumn
• Retrospection
• Waltz Circe

Vocal Music

Helen also wrote music for singers. Sometimes, she used words written by other poets and writers.

• Alabaster
• Christ My Refuge (words by Mary Baker Eddy)
• Hindu Cradle Song
• If You Call Me
• Invincible (words by Sarojini Naidu)
• Magnificat (words by Helene Grossenbacher)
• March Beside Him, Lord
• Music I Heard With You (words by Conrad Aiken)
• Six Indian Songs
• Solace (words by Josephine Hancock Logan)
• Wedding Prayer (words by Curt A. Mundstock)