Coleman, Susannah Armstrong

Susannah Armstrong Coleman (1897-1985) was an American pianist, composer and teacher. Born in Chicago, Coleman began her musical studies locally with Hilda Brown before earning a bachelor's degree at the Northwestern University School of Music in 1919. There she studied piano with Victor Garwood, Josef Lhevinne, and Arne Oldberg, the latter with whom she also studied composition. She continued her piano studies abroad with Artur Schnabel from 1924-1925. Between 1930 and 1946, Coleman composed extensively while in summer residence on fellowship at the MacDowell Colony in Peterboro, New Hampshire. She moved to New York in 1934 and married former Colony member Laurence Vail Coleman four years later. The couple spent the remainder of their lives in the Washington, D.C. and Charlottesville, Virginia, areas while also travelling extensively throughout Europe and the Carribean. Over the course of her lifetime, Susannah Coleman won prizes for numerous compositions, including awards from Mu Phi Epsilon for her Blue Symphony and Mother Goose Suite.

From the description of Susannah Armstrong Coleman collection, 1912-1953 (bulk 1930-1949). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71130004

Susannah Armstrong Coleman was a pianist, composer, and music teacher.

From the description of Men and Wheat : Death March : sheet music / by Susannah Coleman, ca. 1930s (Princeton University Library). WorldCat record id: 262889974

Biographical Note

Susannah Armstrong Coleman (1897-1985) was an American pianist, composer, and teacher. Born in Chicago, Coleman began her musical studies locally with Hilda Brown before earning a bachelor's degree at the Northwestern University School of Music in 1919. There she studied piano with Victor Garwood, Josef Lhevinne, and Arne Oldberg, the latter with whom she also studied composition. She continued her piano studies abroad with Artur Schnabel from 1924-1925. Between 1930 and 1946, Coleman composed extensively while in summer residence on fellowship at the MacDowell Colony in Peterboro, New Hampshire. She moved to New York in 1934 and married former Colony member Laurence Vail Coleman four years later. The couple spent the remainder of their lives in the Washington, D.C. and Charlottesville, Virginia, areas while also travelling extensively throughout Europe and the Carribean. Over the course of her lifetime, Susannah Coleman won prizes for numerous compositions, including awards from Mu Phi Epsilon for her Blue Symphony and Mother Goose Suite.

• 1897 March 11: Born Susannah Winifred Armstrong, Chicago, Illinois
• 1919: Earns Bachelor of Music, Northwestern University School of Music
• 1930: Awarded fellowship to study composition at the MacDowell Colony, Peterboro, New Hampshire
• 1939 Feb. 9: Marries Laurence Vail Coleman
• 1985 July: Dies in Arlington, Virginia

From the guide to the Susannah Armstrong Coleman Collection, 1912-1953, (bulk 1930-1949), (Music Division Library of Congress)