Pitch Perfect and Persistent!
The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach
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Discover the untold yet inspiring story of Amy Beach, musician extraordinaire and the first successful woman composer in America.
With perfect pitch and fierce persistence, Amy Beach always knew she had to make music. There was just one BIG problem. Her mother believed it was not proper or suitable for a young lady to draw attention to herself, let alone take on a musical career. But give in or give up? Not Amy Beach. She demanded to play the piano. Demanded to have a real teacher. Demanded to perform. Luckily—for the world!—Amy’s persistence paid off. At just sixteen years old, Amy Beach found herself on the stage of Boston’s Music Hall—and the start of a brilliant career. A female composer who paved the way—perfectly!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In a picture book exploration of the childhood of composer and musician Amy Cheney Beach (1867–1944), DeLems spotlights a barrier-breaking feminist in the male-dominated 19th-century music industry. Growing up in a musical New Hampshire household, Cheney Beach early on exhibits characteristics of a musical prodigy—talents that alarm her traditionalist mother. Finally relenting to their daughter's begging, the Cheneys allow their daughter to study piano, hoping the skill will help her find a husband. Ambitious Cheney Beach has no intention of settling, however, and as her excellent piano playing attracts attention, she resolves to defy convention by performing on stage. DeLems focuses on Cheney Beach's childhood through her stage debut, energizing detail-rich text with interspersed staccato sentences and all-caps emphasis, while Jay's crackled illustrations establish the mood of her rural upbringing through earth-toned paintings. Copious back matter discusses Cheney Beach's marriage and career as a composer. Ages 7–10.
