To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, this post of our series This Month in Piano History will celebrate piano and musical history of the USA. Read more below about the lives of famous American pianists and composers as well as the first performance of a famous patriotic song.
July 3, 1901 – Birth of Ruth Crawford Seeger
Born on July 3, 1901 in East Liverpool, Ohio, Ruth Crawford Seeger was an American composer. Known for her ultramodern works, Crawford Seeger composed a large variety of piano music including preludes, a sonata, as well as pedagogical works for developing pianists. The first woman to win a Guggenheim Fellowship in composition, Crawford Seeger helped promote American folk music in her works.1 In this article below by Bruce Berr, learn about the pedagogical uses of Crawford Seeger’s piano work, American Folk Songs for Children:
July 4, 1831 – First Performance of a Famous American Patriotic Song
On July 4, 1831, the famous American patriotic song, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts.2 Although the tune is British (“God Save the King”), the lyrics composed by Samuel Francis Smith were first titled “Celebration of American Independence” before becoming known by its current title.3 Featuring lively rhythms, the tune is commonly used to teach dotted rhythms in piano lessons. Learn more about teaching dotted rhythms by reading this article by Marvin Blickenstaff, Janet Palmberg Lyman, Nancy Bachus, Kathleen Murray, and Merilyn Jacobson:
July 12, 2023 – Death of André Watts
On July 12, 2023, legendary American pianist André Watts passed away. A leading pianist of his time, Watts was known for his dramatic interpretations that spanned the entire piano repertoire. Watts had his breakthrough moment in 1962 when he performed for American conductor Leonard Bernstein, who helped launch his career. After decades of concertizing, Watts joined the faculty at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Discover Watts’ incredible artistry in this recording of him performing George Gershwin’s Three Preludes:
July 13, 1955 – Debut of the Beaux Arts Trio
The Beaux Arts Trio was an internationally acclaimed chamber music ensemble founded by pianist Menahem Pressler, violinist Daniel Guilet, and cellist Bernard Greenhouse. The trio made their debut in Lenox, Massachusetts on July 13, 1955. Known for their incredible legacy of concerts and performances, the trio recorded dozens of celebrated albums of works of the piano trio repertoire. Want to learn more about pianist Menahem Pressler and his career? Read this article by Jerry Wong in which he describes the life and teaching of his teacher:
Want to learn more about American composers, pianists, and music? Check out the resources below!
Endnotes
- Ellie M. Hisama and Judith Tick, “Crawford (Seeger), Ruth,” Grove Music Online, 10 July 2012; Accessed 5 Jun. 2026, https://www-oxfordmusiconline-com.proxy.mul.missouri.edu/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002224168.
- James J. Fuld, “Patriotic music,” Grove Music Online, 10 Jul. 2012; Accessed 5 June 2026, https://www-oxfordmusiconline-com.proxy.mul.missouri.edu/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002225007.
- James J. Fuld, “Patriotic music,” Grove Music Online, 10 Jul. 2012; Accessed 5 June 2026, https://www-oxfordmusiconline-com.proxy.mul.missouri.edu/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-1002225007.
OTHER RESOURCES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- VIDEO: What is American Music? by Minju Choi
- WEBINAR: The Piano Music of George Walker with Andrew Cooperstock
- COURSE: Unsung Heroes in Piano Pedagogy: 20 Pieces by Black Composers to Use in Your Studio Now
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: “Hidden Figures” in Piano Pedagogy: Leveling Piano Music by Black Composers by Leah Claiborne
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: The Distinctive Voice of Thomas H. Kerr by Susanna Garcia
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: “Music Chose Me”: In Conversation with Pianist Althea Waites by Asher Armstrong
- MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Breaking Stereotypes: Indigenous Composers Defining New Musical Frontiers by Connor Chee
- VIDEO: Florence Price: Thumbnail Sketches A Day in the Life of a Washerwoman by Heather Hancock
- VIDEO: Aaron Copland: Piano Variations by Owen Lovell
- VIDEO: Hale Smith: Following by Penny Lazarus
- VIDEO: Thomas Henderson Kerr: Dancétudes: 7 Vignettes of Dolls and Pets by Susanna Garcia
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