Louise Cooper Spindle facts for kids

May Louise Cooper Spindle (born January 1, 1885 – died October 1968) was an American composer and teacher. She is well-known for writing many pieces of music for the piano that helped students learn. These are called pedagogical pieces.

Spindle was born in Muskegon, Michigan. Her parents were Rosina H. Winters and Charles Bicknell Cooper. She married Lee Addison Spindle in 1911.

Her Musical Journey

May Spindle started her music lessons with her mother. Later, she went to the Chicago Musical College to study music further. She had several important teachers there, including Felix Borowski. She also spent time with another composer named Eleanor Everest Freer.

A Member of Music Groups

Spindle was part of several important music organizations. She belonged to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). This group helps protect the rights of composers and authors. She was also a member of the Michigan Composers Club and the Music Teachers National Association.

In 1937, she won a contest called the Michigan State Composers Contest in Grand Rapids. May Spindle also taught music at Columbia University, a famous university in New York City.

What Music Did She Write?

May Spindle's music was published by several companies, including Forster Music Publisher Inc. and Mills Music. She wrote many different kinds of music. Her most famous pieces were for the piano, especially those designed to help students learn.

Piano Music

• Bouncy Balls
• Holiday in Naples
• Parade of the Bunnies
• Ping Pong
• Somersaults Rndoletto: Study in Crossing Hands and Staccato
• Swaying Pussywillows

Other Compositions

Spindle also wrote music for other instruments and voices:

• Chamber Music: Caprice Espagnole (for violin and piano)
• Orchestra Music: Southlands Suite
• Organ Music: Prelude of Spring
• Vocal Music:
  • “April Wind”
  • “Christmas Roundelay”
  • City Eternal (a cantata, which is a piece for singers and instruments)
  • “God’s Gift Supreme”
  • Moon Magic (arranged for 2 or 3 voices)
  • My Dream Ship (arranged for 2, 3, or 4 voices)
  • Pickaninny Song (with words by Helen Von Kolnitz Hyer; arranged for 2 or 3 voices)