June Weybright facts for kids
June Elizabeth Weybright Reeder (born June 15, 1903 – died November 15, 1996) was an American musician. She was a talented composer and a great music teacher. Many people know her for her piano method books. She published these books using her birth name, "Weybright."
Contents
Who Was June Weybright?
June Weybright was a very important person in music education. She helped many students learn to play the piano. Her books are still used today by young musicians.
June's Early Life and Learning
June Weybright was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She loved music from a young age. She studied at several well-known music schools. These included the Leo Miller Institute of Music in St. Louis, Missouri. She also attended Washington University. Later, she studied at the famous Juilliard School of Music in New York.
She learned from some amazing teachers. These included Kate Chittenden, Jessie L. Gaynor, and Effa Ellis Perfield. June began teaching music in 1925. She married Leland Reeder in St. Louis on July 20, 1940.
A Talented Teacher and Composer
Besides teaching, June Weybright was very active in the music world. She led many singing groups. She also gave lectures and workshops. These talks helped other music teachers and students. Some of her lecture topics included "For a Musical America." She also spoke about "Music in the Everyday Life of Our Juniors." Another topic was "Reading Fluency for All Students." She was also a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. This is an international music group for women.
June Weybright created or arranged over 300 piano pieces. These were collected into 48 different books. She also wrote materials to teach music theory. Music theory helps you understand how music works. She even wrote music for more than one person to play at once. This included pieces for four hands, six hands, and two pianos. Her music was published by Belwin Mills. This company was later bought by Alfred Music.
Her Famous Music Books
June Weybright's piano books are still very popular. They have helped countless students learn to play the piano. Here are some of her best-known works:
- Belwin Piano Method (a series of five books)
- Belwin Theory Worksheets (to help students understand music theory)
- Etudes for Pianists (exercises to improve piano skills)
- Mildly Contemporary: An Introduction to Contemporary Music for Early Grade Pianists (introduces new styles of music)
- Technic for Pianists (focuses on piano playing techniques)
- Weybright Course for Pianists (a complete course for piano students)
