Jean E. Williams facts for kids

Jean Elizabeth Williams (born January 20, 1876 – died July 1965) was a talented composer. She was born in Wednesbury, England. Later, she moved to Toronto, Canada. Jean studied music and became a teacher and a leader in music groups.

Early Life and Education

Jean Elizabeth Williams was born in England. She later moved to Toronto, Canada. She studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music, which is part of the University of Toronto. After finishing her studies there, she went back to England. Her goal was to become a concert pianist, someone who performs piano music for audiences.

Career Change and Teaching

Jean Williams had to change her plans. She broke her wrist, which made it hard for her to play the piano professionally. So, she decided to focus on teaching instead of performing. She returned to the University of Toronto to teach both singing and piano.

Later, Jean taught music in other cities. She taught in Cleveland, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri. In 1932, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she continued her work.

Music Leadership and Legacy

Jean Williams was a respected leader in the music world. She served as the president of the National Music Teachers Association. She was also the president of Mu Phi Epsilon, which is a special group for professional musicians.

Jean worked with Nellie Tholen on two books about music education. Nellie Tholen later gave Jean's important papers to the University of Oregon. These papers are now kept safe there for people to study.

Musical Compositions

Jean Elizabeth Williams wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some examples of her compositions:

Chamber Music

Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments.

• Gavotte (for violin and piano)
• Valse (for violin and piano)

Orchestra Music

Orchestra music is written for a large group of instruments.

• Concertina for Piano and String Orchestra
• Junior Piano Concerto No. 6
• Piano Concerto in a minor
• Piano Concerto in C
• Piano Concerto in F Major
• (Second) Piano Concerto in C

Piano Music

Jean Williams wrote many pieces just for the piano.

• Bolero (for two pianos)
• Dresden China Figures (Minuet V)
• Fairy Piper
• Gavotte in G Major
• Partita
• Polka
• Prelude Funebre
• Red Bird Singing
• Scherzo in a minor
• Sicilienne
• Sonatina in G
• Tango in c minor
• Toccata
• Valse Chanson
• Valse in d minor
• Zwei Canzonen aus dem Fiori Musicale

Other Works

Jean Williams also composed many other pieces. These were often for piano or voice. Some of her works included:

• Adeste Fideles (a special arrangement of a song)
• Baby Moon
• Bells
• Christmas Music for Treble Voices
• Dance Johnny!
• Doll's Wedding
• Fife and Drum
• Grandfather Clock
• Happy Dreams
• Indian Lullaby
• Little Irish Donkey
• Musical Snuff Box
• Noel
• Old Spinet
• Painted Fan
• Rain! Rain!
• Ring, Ring Ye Bells (for women's chorus and piano)
• Simple Simon
• Sleep Holy Child
• Slumber Song
• Snow by Night
• Soldiers down the Street
• Street Parade
• This is Oregon
• Toby Jug
• Train
• Wind Chimes and Lanterns