Margaret Jones Wiles facts for kids

Margaret Isobel Jones Wiles (born December 25, 1911 – died July 6, 2000) was a very talented American musician. She was a composer (someone who writes music), a conductor (someone who leads an orchestra), and a teacher. Margaret Wiles played both the violin and the viola, which are string instruments, and she wrote more than 50 pieces of music called string quartets (music for four string instruments).

Margaret Wiles: A Musical Journey

Early Life and Education

Margaret Wiles was born in 1911. She loved music from a young age and studied hard to become a musician. She earned a special music degree from DePauw University in Indiana, USA. She didn't stop there! Margaret also traveled to London, England, to study with a famous musician named Arthur Catterall at the Royal Academy of Music. Later, she continued her studies in New York with Raphael Bronstein at the New York College.

A New Home in South Africa

In 1934, Margaret made a big move. She went to South Africa to marry Gordon Wiles, whom she had met while studying music in London. They started a family together and had two sons, Peter and John.

Her Musical Career

Margaret Wiles was a very active musician throughout her life. From 1941 to 1945, she played the violin with the Durban Symphony Orchestra in South Africa. She was also a solo performer, meaning she played by herself, for 15 years. People could listen to her live or on South African radio!

From 1945 to 1951, she held a very important position: concertmistress of the Pietermaritzburg Symphony. The concertmistress is the lead violinist in an orchestra and often helps the conductor.

Teaching and Later Years

In 1957, Margaret Wiles returned to the United States. She continued her musical career there, becoming the assistant concertmistress of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. She also had a special role at Connecticut College, where she started and led the college's own orchestra. Besides performing and conducting, Margaret Wiles loved to teach. She taught violin and viola to students at Connecticut College and from her home.

Margaret Wiles passed away in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful music and many students she inspired.