Reis, Claire R. (Claire Raphael)

Co-founder of the Walden School and later president of the League of Composers.

Claire Raphael Reis (1888-1978) was a music promoter, teacher, and author of works on American composers. Born in Brownsville, Texas, on August 4, 1888, Claire Raphael was educated in New York, France, and Germany. She married Arthur Reis in 1915. From 1912 to 1922 Claire Reis was involved with the People's Music League of the People's Institute of New York, an organization which provided free concerts for immigrants and public school students. In 1914 Reis helped establish the Walden School. She became a kindergarten music teacher, and adapted Montessori teaching methods to music. Working with several composers she helped establish the League of Composers in 1923, and served as executive director for twenty-five years. Claire Reis wrote AMERICAN COMPOSERS OF TODAY in 1947, and revised the book under the title COMPOSERS IN AMERICA: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES in 1977. She also published COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, AND CRITICS in 1955, and a number of articles. Reis was secretary of the board of directors of the New York City Center of Music and Drama, and was also a founder of the City Center. Claire Raphael Reis died in New York on April 11, 1978, at the age of 89.

Claire Raphael Reis (1888-1978) was a music promoter, teacher, and author of works on American composers.

Born in Brownsville, Texas, on August 4, 1888, Claire Raphael was educated in New York, France, and Germany. She married Arthur Reis in 1915. From 1912 to 1922 Claire Reis was involved with the People's Music League of the People's Institute of New York, an organization which provided free concerts for immigrants and public school students. In 1914 Reis helped establish the Walden School. She became a kindergarten music teacher, and adapted Montessori teaching methods to music. Working with several composers she helped establish the League of Composers in 1923, and served as executive director for twenty-five years. Claire Reis wrote AMERICAN COMPOSERS OF TODAY in 1947, and revised the book under the title COMPOSERS IN AMERICA: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES in 1977. She also published COMPOSERS, CONDUCTORS, AND CRITICS in 1955, and a number of articles. Reis was secretary of the board of directors of the New York City Center of Music and Drama, and was also a founder of the City Center. Claire Raphael Reis died in New York on April 11, 1978, at the age of 89.