Kate S. Chittenden

Background

Chittenden, Kate S. was born on April 17, 1856 in of American parents, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Daughter of Curtis Strong and Caroline Young (Peterson) Chittenden.

Education

1865–1870 — studied piano with Jules Fossier

1870–1876 — studied piano with Lucy H. Clinton, pupil of Clara Schumann at Hellmuth Ladies" College, London, Ontario.

Career

She is best known for (i) originating a form of piano instruction known as synthetic piano method, (ii) serving as the founding dean of the American Institute of Applied Music in New York City, and (iii) heading the piano department at Vassar College for 31 years, where, upon retirement, she was awarded professor emeritus status. Newspapers also attribute her as the first woman lecturer employed by the Board of Education for New York City Schools, serving from 1892 to 1919. Chittenden was the organist and choir director at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City for twenty-seven years, and died in New York City.

One of her notable pupils was the Canadian organist and conductor Paul Ambrose.

17 April 1861 — began piano lessons with an aunt

1873 — awarded Lord Dufferin Bronze Medal for Art

5th January 1874 — began teaching piano, Hellmuth Ladies" College

September 1876 — arrived in New York, became a protégé of Mission Lucy Nelson

1878 — Met Antonia Henne, contralto “The most dominating musical influence of my life”

1879–1906 — organist and choir director, Calvary Baptist Church in New York City

1882–1883 — organist and accompanist at Music Conventions (Summer Normal Schools held at Meadville, Pennsylvania

studied with Albert Ross Parsons

1887–1888 — began preparation of Synthetic Piano Method

1890–1914 — head of piano department, Catherine Aiken School, Stamford, Connecticut

1892 — Joined the faculty of the Metropolitan College of Music

1892–1919 — Lecturer, assisted by C. Judson Bushnell, baritone, on the New York Board of Education free lecture courses for adults.. first lecturer on music, and first woman lecturer, on these courses

1899–1930 — head of Music Department at Vassar College

1899–1903 — head of Piano Department, Putnam Hall School, Poughkeepsie, New York

1900–1932 — Dean and head of Piano Department, of the American Institute of Applied Music, New York, New York, organized as a successor to the Metropolitan College of Music

1930 — Professor Emeritus, Vassar College

1930–1936 — Honorary Director Hartley House School of Music, Lecture and private teacher

She was the daughter of Curtis Strong Chittenden, a dentist born in Shelburne, Vermont. One of Kate Chittenden"s ancestors, William Chittenden (1593–1660), was one of six founders of Guilford, Connecticut, in 1639.

And another ancestor, Thomas Chittenden (1730–1797), was the first Governor of Vermont.

Achievements

• Kate S. Chittenden has been listed as a notable musician. by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

1883 — became a life member of the Music Teachers National Association.

Connections

Father:

Curtis Strong Chittenden

Mother:

Caroline Young (Peterson) Chittenden