Kate Vanderpoel facts for kids

Cornelia Townsend (born August 11, 1851) was an American musician who wrote many songs. She published most of her music using the name Kate Vanderpoel. She also wrote an opera and music for special instruments called player pianos.

About Cornelia Townsend

Cornelia Townsend was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 11, 1851. Her parents were Horace Gilbert and Eliza Ann Thornton Townsend. She had a twin brother named George. She also had six other brothers and one sister, making it a big family! We don't know much about where she went to school or when she passed away. At some point, she moved to Chicago, Illinois. The last time she was recorded in official records was in 1910. Her book of songs was officially registered in 1911 and published in 1912.

Her Music and Famous Songs

Cornelia Townsend was a talented composer. She wrote many different kinds of music. In 1896, she wrote a song called "Flag Song." The words for this song were written by John Swinton. The Republican National Committee, a political group, helped publish this song. She also wrote another song called "The Man from Ohio." This song was about President William McKinley, who was from Ohio.

Music for Player Pianos

Cornelia Townsend also composed music for player pianos and player organs. These are special musical instruments that can play music by themselves using paper rolls. She worked with companies like the Aeolian Company, Melvin Clark Piano Company, and Wilcox & White Company. Her music was published by companies such as S. Brainard Sons and Orpheus Publishing Company.

Cornelia Townsend's Compositions

Here are some of the musical pieces Cornelia Townsend wrote:

Band Music

• Entrée de Cortége Morceau (This piece was originally by Kate Vanderpoel and arranged for a band by George D. Barnard.)

Opera

• Peronella (An opera is a play where the story is told mostly through singing.)

Piano Roll Music

• Florimella Waltz
• Golden Poppies
• La Miniature
• Philomella Waltz
• Supplication

Vocal Music

• "Asleep, Adream, Awake" (The words for this song were by Edmund Vance Cooke. Nellie Bangs Skelton made a piano version of it.)
• Book of Songs
• "Chimmie Fadden of de Bow'ry"
• "Cradle Song"
• "Darling, Darling"
• "Either"
• "Elinore"
• "Flag Song" (Words by John Swinton)
• "Go to Sleep, My Honey" (Words by Edward D. Barker)
• "Major Max"
• "Man from Ohio"
• "Memory"
• "My Dan"
• "Please Smile"
• "When Apple Blossoms Give Their Fragrance Rare"
• "Where Love Is"

You can download some free sheet music by Kate Vanderpoel here: Download free sheet music by Kate Vanderpoel