Martha Alter facts for kids

Martha Alter (born February 8, 1904 – died June 3, 1976) was a talented American musician. She was a concert pianist, a music teacher, and a composer. This means she played the piano, taught music to others, and wrote her own musical pieces.

Martha Alter's Musical Journey

Early Life and Education

Martha Alter was born in New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. Her parents were David Boyd and Daisy Myrl Alter. She loved music from a young age.

Martha went to Vassar College and graduated in 1925. She didn't stop learning there! She continued her studies at other famous schools. She earned a master's degree in musicology from Columbia University. Musicology is the study of music history and theory.

She also earned another master's degree in music composition. This was from the Eastman School of Music. While there, she learned from famous teachers. Some of her teachers were Ernest Hutcheson, Rubin Goldmark, Howard Hanson, and Bernard Rogers.

Teaching Music

Martha Alter shared her love of music by teaching. She taught at Vassar College from 1929 to 1931. Later, in 1942, she started teaching music at Connecticut College.

Martha Alter passed away in Newport, Pennsylvania. Her important papers and musical works are kept at the Vassar College Libraries.

Her Musical Creations

Martha Alter wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of her selected compositions:

• O Bethlehem
• Peace
• Bill George, a march and song for a baritone singer and an orchestra. The words were a poem by Malcolm Cowley.
• Anthony Cotnstock or A Puritan's Progress, a ballet. A ballet is a story told through dance and music.
• Groceries and Notions, a drama she created with Gertrude Brown. The story was written by K.K. Doughtie.