Danbury in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Charles Edward Ives – The Father of Modern Music
Danbury, Connecticut
— The Museum in the Streets® —
Photographed By Michael Herrick, December 30, 2013
1. Charles Edward Ives – The Father of Modern Music Marker
Charles Edward Ives, the ‘Father of Modern Music,’ was born in Danbury on October 20, 1874 to a prominent New England family who were leading citizens of he community. His grandfather, George White Ives, founder of The Savings Bank of Danbury, was instrumental in bring the railroad to town and helped to establish Wooster Cemetery.
Charles inherited his love of music from his father. George Edward Ives served as the youngest Union bandleader during the Civil War and became Charles’ most influential teacher. As a boy, he listened to his father’s band play in the Danbury town square.
Several of Ives’ works deal with memories of life in his hometown. “The Fourth of July,” for example, is composed of boyhood remembrances of the holiday on Main Street.
Ives entered Yale University in 1894 and composed the bulk of his music between 1896 and 1916. Known for his independent nature and flair for experimentation, Ives’ compositions interwove fragments from traditional patriotic marches and hymns with unconventional techniques acquired from his father.
Ives graduated from Yale in 1898 and formed a successful insurance company with business partner Julian Myrick in 1907. In 1910 he married Harmony Twitchell.
It was only after he stopped composing that the public changed its opinion
this page online
Charles Edward Ives died in 1954 in New York City. He is buried in the family plot in Wooster Cemetery.
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Danbury, Connecticut series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 20, 1874.
Location. 41° 23.714′ N, 73° 27.211′ W. Marker is in Danbury, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Library Place, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 256 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 248 Main Street (a few steps from this marker); The Seal of the City (a few steps from this marker); Marian Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Danbury Fair Days (within shouting distance of this marker); Trains, Trolleys & Transportation (within shouting distance of this marker); Danbury – The Hat City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Danbury Fire Department
Photographed By Michael Herrick, December 30, 2013
2. Charles Edward Ives – The Father of Modern Music Marker
Also see . . . Charles Edward Ives on Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 8, 2014, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2014, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 978 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 8, 2014, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
