Biography
Mildred Bowers was born in Fulton, Kentucky. She studied music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1917 and a master's degree in 1918. She also studied at the Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School.
Armstrong taught music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and the Juilliard School. She also taught at the Cincinnati Public Schools and the New York City Public Schools.
Armstrong composed a variety of music, including orchestral works, chamber music, songs, and choral music. Her music was performed by major orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.
Armstrong was also a music critic and lecturer. She wrote articles for several music journals and lectured at universities and colleges.
Armstrong was married to composer Robert Armstrong. They had two children.
Awards and honors
- Guggenheim Fellowship (1931)
- Alice M. Ditson Fund for American Music (1937)
- National Association of Composers and Conductors Award (1938)
- New York Critics' Circle Award (1940)
Death
Mildred Bowers Armstrong died on March 18, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Legacy
Mildred Bowers Armstrong is considered one of the most important American composers of the twentieth century. Her music is characterized by its lyricism, its use of folk music, and its innovative use of orchestration. Armstrong's music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Selected works
- Orchestral works:
- Symphony No. 1 (1930)
- Symphony No. 2 (1932)
- Suite from the Ballet "The Enchanted Garden" (1940)
- Chamber music:
- Sonata for Violin and Piano (1923)
- Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano (1926)
- Quartet for Strings (1934)
- Songs:
- "To a Wild Rose" (1917)
- "The Lark Ascending" (1920)
- "I Will Be Glad" (1925)
- Choral music:
- "Psalm 23" (1926)
- "The Lord Is My Shepherd" (1931)
- "Magnificat" (1939)