Book contents
- The Cambridge Companion to Amy Beach
- Cambridge Companions to Music
- The Cambridge Companion to Amy Beach
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Music Examples
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology
- Part I Historical Context
- 1 Between Composer’s Desk and Piano Bench
- 2 Amy Beach and the Women’s Club Movement
- 3 “A Reality of Glorious Attainment”
- 4 Amy Beach and Her Publishers
- Part II Profiles of the Music
- Part III Reception
- Appendix: List of Works
- Select Bibliography
- Index
2 - Amy Beach and the Women’s Club Movement
from Part I - Historical Context
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 October 2023
- The Cambridge Companion to Amy Beach
- Cambridge Companions to Music
- The Cambridge Companion to Amy Beach
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Music Examples
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology
- Part I Historical Context
- 1 Between Composer’s Desk and Piano Bench
- 2 Amy Beach and the Women’s Club Movement
- 3 “A Reality of Glorious Attainment”
- 4 Amy Beach and Her Publishers
- Part II Profiles of the Music
- Part III Reception
- Appendix: List of Works
- Select Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Amy Beach’s career paralleled the rise of women’s clubs across America; the widespread amateur and professional musical organizations were important to her success. Gendered musical communities not only hosted Beach as both pianist and composer but provided commissions and audiences to purchase and perform her music, such as the thirty pieces she created for the women’s choruses associated with clubs. Beach and her compositions figured heavily in women’s organizations’ nationalistic agendas and were highlighted in their educational materials. Beach was active in the National Federation of Music Clubs, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the National League of American Pen Women, and numerous other groups; her association with the NLAPW led to two White House appearances. These organizations provided her with supportive networks of like-minded women and deep friendships. In turn, Beach’s stature validated clubs’ efforts to promote America’s music and to make women central to its musical life.
Keywords
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- Information
- The Cambridge Companion to Amy Beach , pp. 22 - 37Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023