Florence Parr-Gere Papers
Catalog Record: http://lccn.loc.gov/2012562127
General International Standard for Archival Description
Music Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C.
Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress Music Division, 2012
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Florence Parr-Gere Papers1856-1964 (bulk 1900-1943)
Parr-Gere, Florence, b. 1875
Biographical History for: Florence Parr-Gere Papers1856-1964 (bulk 1900-1943)
Biographical Note Florence Beatrice Parr-Gere was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on April 25, 1875 to Henry Anderson Parr (a dentist) and Florence Parr. The 1881 Canadian census reveals that she was the oldest of four children. As a young adult, Parr-Gere traveled to Europe to study music in the 1890s. She is known to have studied piano for several years with Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna, who was the first to recognize her inherent talent in composition, and later with well-known teachers in Paris. After returning to the U.S., she began composition studies in New York with Max Spicker. Soon thereafter, she married James Belden Gere, a New York City physician (1872-1920), on November 26, 1902. Dr. Gere received his license in 1896, and was on the staff at the Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. The couple lived in New York City during the next several decades. Parr-Gere wrote poems (often used as lyrics for her songs) and began to publish songs and piano works circa 1912. She attended the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau during the summer of 1921 with fellow classmate and composer Aaron Copland. Parr-Gere is known to have been active as a composer during the years 1912-1928. Her songs were interpreted by various well-known singers, including Johanna Gadski and Maggie Teyte. She is known to have composed chamber music and works for full orchestra, including at least one tone-poem. Her works were published by at least five American music publishers: Carl Fischer, G. Schirmer, Inc., Luckhardt and Belder, the Boston Music Company, and C. W. Thompson Company. Other works were published by the firm of J. Hamelle in Paris. James Gere died in 1920. Florence continued to compose and teach piano pupils at her New York City studio located at No. 15, West 67th Street. During the 1920s and 1930s she submitted several orchestral compositions to local orchestras for performance. Parr-Gere continued her European travels between 1920 and 1938, as indicated by passport records. The latest inscribed photograph in this collection is dated July 1943. There is little biographical information regarding Parr-Gere in existing reference works and she does not appear to have been a member of ASCAP. No date of death has been found for Parr-Gere, although she appears to have been active at least into the mid-1940s.
Scope and Content Note The Florence Parr-Gere Papers span a period between 1856-1964 with the majority of materials dating from circa 1900-1943. The papers mainly consist of portraits and other photographs of Parr-Gere that may have been used for publicity purposes. There are also candid outdoor photos and a few family photographs. In addition, there are several inscribed photographs, including one of Percy Grainger. The collection includes 40 of Parr-Gere's songs and piano works published between 1912-1928, as well as a scrapbook compiled by Parr-Gere while attending classes at the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau during the summer of 1921. The scrapbook contains several photographs and autographs accompanied by musical notations from other colleagues, such as Aaron Copland and the Conservatory's founder, François Casadesus. Also of interest is a small group of five posters publicizing the final two student concerts of September 1921 at Fontainebleau. Other items include Parr-Gere's marriage certificate, a wedding announcement, music publisher brochures listing her compositions, a musical composition inscribed to Parr-Gere, and an 1856 book titled Genealogy of the Geer Family, containing an extensive genealogy of her husband's family.
series
Music, 1912-1928
Published musical works composed by Florence Parr-Gere between 1912-1928. Includes 22 piano solos, 18 songs with piano accompaniment, and an inscribed song composed by Meta Schumann with lyrics by Parr-Gere. Parr-Gere wrote the lyrics for all of the songs in this collection with the exception of L'Offrande, with lyrics by Céleste Wilbur.
subseries
Piano music
file
Parr-Gere, Florence. Children's laughter; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1921.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Deux morceaux our piano. No. 1. Une Pensée; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1924.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Deux morceaux our piano. No. 2. Le Chant du voyageur; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1924.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Extase; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1926.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Idylle romantique; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1919.
Parr-Gere, Florence. An Impression; piano. Boston: Boston Music Company, 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Impressions de Fontainebleau; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1923.
Parr-Gere, Florence. In a garden at Naishapar; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1916.
Parr-Gere, Florence. In the Seraglio; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1918.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Intermezzo. Her Portrait; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1916.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Legend; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1915.
Parr-Gere, Florence. La Nuite (Melodie in G♭); piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1917.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Reverie nocturne; piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Romanza; piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1915.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Shadows, a tone-poem for piano; piano. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1926.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Three silhouettes for piano. No. 1. Impromptu Oriental; piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Three silhouettes for piano. No. 2. Caprice poetique; piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Three silhouettes for piano. No. 3. Impromptu lyrique; piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Trois pièces pour piano. No. 1. Gazouillement d'oiseaux; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1923.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Trois pièces pour piano. No. 2. Poème de la mer; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1923.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Trois pièces pour piano. No. 3. Le Temps des Lilas; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1923.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Trois pièces pour piano; piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1923.
Songs
Parr-Gere, Florence. Arcady's where you are; song with piano. New York: Carl Fischer, 1918.
Parr-Gere, Florence. The Birth of green; song with piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1916.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Feathered trees; song with piano. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1925.
Parr-Gere, Florence. God of the wind. An Apostrophe; song with piano. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1928.
Parr-Gere, Florence. How I love thee; song with piano. Boston:C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. I am the wind; song with piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1916.
Parr-Gere, Florence. My mother when she kisses me; song with piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder , 1924.
Parr-Gere, Florence. My song; song with piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. L'Offrande; song with piano. Paris: J. Hamelle, 1925.
Parr-Gere, Florence. A Profile; song with piano. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1923.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Romance; song with piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1916.
Parr-Gere, Florence. A Sigh; song with piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1919.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Thee; song with piano. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1926.
Parr-Gere, Florence. Two flower songs. No. 1: My garden; no. 2: Where the sweetist flowers grow; songs with piano. Boston: Boston Music Co., 1912.
Parr-Gere, Florence. I walked with anguish in my heart; song with piano. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., 1920.
Parr-Gere, Florence. The Water song; song with piano. Boston: C. W. Thompson & Co., 1914.
Parr-Gere, Florence. With music on your lips; song with piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1918.
Parr-Gere, Florence. You Devon maid; song with piano. New York: Luckhardt & Belder, 1920.
Schumann, Meta. Thee; song with piano. New York: G. Ricordi & Co., 1925.
Photographs, circa 1880s-1943
Chiefly studio and candid photographs of Florence Parr-Gere, taken from childhood until late middle-age. The majority of photographs of individuals other than Parr-Gere are unidentified, although most are suspected to be members of her family. Also included are several inscribed photographs of well-known personalities.
Parr-Gere, Alone, circa 1880s-circa 1935
Early photographs, circa 1880s-1900
Inscribed photographs, circa 1890s - circa 1912
Later photographs, circa 1900 - circa 1935
Parr-Gere, with Others, circa 1890s-circa 1925
American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, 1921
Horse-driven coach with large group, circa 1900
Parr-Gere family, circa 1890s - circa 1916
Parr-Gere with unidentified people, circa 1902-1925
Miscellany, 1911-1943
Inscribed photographs, 1911-1930 and undated
Unidentified, circa 1915-1930s
Miscellany, 1856-1964
Two small portrait drawings, one book, clippings, correspondence, marriage documents, music publisher brochures listing Parr-Gere's compositions, posters (Fontainebleau concerts), programs, and poems.
Book. Geer, James. Historical sketch and genealogy of George & Thomas Geer from 1621 to 1856. Hartford: Elihu Geer, Printer and Stationer, 1856.
Published genealogy of the Geer family (husband's family).
published genealogy of the geer family (husband's family).
Inscribed to James Belden Gere from Anna Gere Belden, Syracuse, NY, September 28, 1912.
inscribed to james belden gere from anna gere belden, syracuse, ny, september 28, 1912.
Clippings, 1902-1920 and undated
Correspondence, 1920-1941
Marriage documents, 1902
Miscellaneous documents, 1916-1929 and undated
Check receipt from music publisher (J. Hamelle, Paris) and one note card from Carl F. Clarke.
check receipt from music publisher (j. hamelle, paris) and one note card from carl f. clarke.
Periodicals, 1913, 1919-1920
The Critic, 1, no. 1 (1919 June) and no. 5 (1920 October); Musical America, 17, no. 14 (1913 Feb. 8).
the critic, 1, no. 1 (1919 june) and no. 5 (1920 october); musical america, 17, no. 14 (1913 feb. 8).
Portrait drawing, circa 1900
Small oval portrait of Parr-Gere within a velvet matted frame.
small oval portrait of parr-gere within a velvet matted frame.
Portrait drawing, 1908
Posters, Fontainebleau, September 21 and 23, 1921
Programs, Fontainebleau, July-September 1921
Programs, general, 1913-1964
Publicity materials, 1916-1929 and undated
3 brochures and 1 page taken from a concert program.
Scrapbook (Fontainebleau), 1921
Inscriptions, photographs, notes, and programs documenting the period of Parr-Gere's studies at the American Conservatory, Fontainebleau.
inscriptions, photographs, notes, and programs documenting the period of parr-gere's studies at the american conservatory, fontainebleau.
Writings, 1905-1941 and undated