Josephine Trott facts for kids
Josephine Augusta Trott (born December 24, 1874 – died March 2, 1950) was an American writer, composer, and music teacher. She sometimes used the pen name Colin Shepherd. Her books for teaching violin are still used by students today.
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Who Was Josephine Trott?
Josephine Trott was born in Wilmington, Illinois. Her parents were Dr. Stenson E. and Augusta J. Trott. Josephine never married. However, she adopted a daughter named Riccarda McQuie. Riccarda later became a violinist in the Denver Symphony for 29 years.
Josephine wrote a book called On Demande une Maman. She published it using her pen name, Colin Shepherd. This book was a fictional story based on Riccarda's life.
Her Work as a Teacher and Musician
Josephine Trott taught at the Hull House Music School in Chicago. This school was started in 1893. She also studied and taught violin in Berlin, Germany, and Paris, France.
During the 1920s, Josephine lived in Denver, Colorado. She had a music studio on Humboldt Street. While in Denver, she helped create the Civic Symphony. This group is known today as the Denver Symphony. Their first performance was on May 4, 1922.
In 1932, Trott translated a French book into English. The book was about William the Conqueror and was written by Lucie Delarue-Mardrus.
Josephine Trott's Legacy
Josephine Trott passed away in Topeka, Kansas. She left the money earned from her books and music to a special fund. This fund is called the Josephine Trott Memorial Scholarship Fund. It helps students through the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Her music was published by several companies. These included G. Schirmer Inc., Clayton F. Summy Co., and Weekes & Co.
Books and Music by Josephine Trott
Josephine Trott wrote many books and pieces of music. Here are some of her well-known works:
Books and Articles
- Book of the Beastie (written with Ruth Ewing)
- Deux Enfants du Far West (This title is in French and means "Two Children of the Far West")
- George Hamlin, American Singer, 1868-1923
- Jean Kay in Paris
- On Demande une Maman (This title is in French and means "They Ask for a Mom")
- "Teaching Violin to Small Children" (This was an article in The Violinist magazine in October 1908)
Violin Music and Studies
- 28 Melodious Studies in the First Position (These are musical exercises for violinists)
- Daily Scale Studies for the Violin Books 1 and 2 (Available in English and Spanish)
- In a Spanish Garden (A musical piece)
- Melodious Double Stops (Exercises for playing two notes at once on the violin)
- Melodious Foundation Studies (Basic musical exercises)
- Puppet Show, opus 5 no. 1 (A piece for violin and piano)
- Studies in Shifting (Exercises for moving hand positions on the violin)
- Two Tuneful Sketches (A piece for violin and piano)
