Mary Watson Weaver facts for kids

Mary Eliza Watson Weaver (born January 16, 1903 – died November 16, 1990) was an American composer, pianist, and poet. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Mary Weaver created beautiful music and wrote poems throughout her life.

Mary Weaver's Life and Learning

Mary was a very talented student. She earned two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Music (B.M.). She got these degrees from Smith College in Massachusetts and Ottawa University in Kansas.

She loved music so much that she kept studying it. Mary learned from famous music teachers like Rosario Scalero and Deems Taylor. She studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She also took private lessons in New York and even in France.

On March 24, 1938, Mary married Powell Weaver. He was also a composer and an organist. They had one son named Thomas Watson Weaver. Mary often gave talks and piano concerts. She also taught piano at several schools. These included the Kansas City Conservatory and the Curtis Institute. She also taught at the University of Missouri–Kansas City from 1946 to 1957. Later, she taught at the Manhattan School of Music in New York from 1957 to 1970. She also taught at the Henry Street School of Music in New York.

Mary Weaver's Musical Creations

Mary Weaver wrote many musical pieces. Her compositions were published by well-known companies. Some of these were Belwin-Mills and G. Schirmer Inc.. She also worked with her husband, Powell Weaver, on some songs. He even set some of her poems to music.

Most of Mary's musical works were for voices, like choirs or solo singers. Here are some of the pieces she composed:

• All Weary Men (written with Powell Weaver; for mixed choir; 1949)
• Confess Jehovah (for mixed choir; 1951)
• "Cradle Song" (words by Padraic Colum; for soprano singer and piano; 1940)
• Enchanted Islands (for women's choir; 1952)
• God's Love Enfold (for mixed choir; 1952)
• Hail, Jesu Bambino (for mixed choir; 1967)
• "Heart of Heaven" (for soprano or alto singer and piano; 1952)
• Kneel Down (for choir)
• Like Doves Descending (written with Powell Weaver; for mixed choir; 1952)
• Like the Young Sheep (for mixed choir; 1950)
• New Mexican Lullaby (for women's choir; 1953)
• O Holy Child (for women's choir; 1952)
• On the Eve of the First Christmas (written with Powell Weaver; for mixed choir; 1948)
• Rise Up All Men (for mixed choir; 1953)
• When Jesus Lay by Mary's Side (written with Powell Weaver; for mixed choir; 1951)
• Wild Swans