Gertrude Jane Martin Rohrer (25 December 1875 ''–'' 22 January 1968) was an American author and composer who wrote many songs, including the
state song
A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European ...
of Pennsylvania, a book, and at least one operetta. She was active in several music clubs.
Rohrer was born in
Indiana
Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...
to Lucretia Mott McIntosh and the Reverend Daniel Cargill Martin. She graduated from
Geneva College
Geneva College is a private Christian college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1848 in Northwood, Ohio, the college moved to its present location in 1880. It enrolls about 1,400 undergraduates in over 30 majors, as wel ...
(Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania) in 1896 and her works are archived there. She married Frederick Findlay Rohrer and they had two sons, Frederick Findlay Rohrer JR. & Donald Rohrer .
Rohrer’s songs were recorded by
Victor Records
The Victor Talking Machine Company was an American recording company and phonograph manufacturer, incorporated in 1901. Victor was an independent enterprise until 1929 when it was purchased by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and became ...
(BVE-3514) and
(W148742).
She belonged to the Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs, the Manuscript Music Society (Pittsburgh) and served as president of the Tuesday Musical Club (Pittsburgh).
Rohrer self-published some songs. Others were published by Eldridge Entertainment House Inc., G.M. Demarest, J. Fischer & Brother, the
National Federation of Music Clubs
The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) is an American non-profit philanthropic music organization that promotes American music, performers, and composers. NFMC endeavors to strengthen quality music education by supporting "high standards o ...
,
Theodore Presser Company
The Theodore Presser Company is an American music publishing and distribution company located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, formerly King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and originally based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest continuing music p ...
, and
Volkwein Brothers.
They include:
Operetta
*''Playroom at Night''
Prose
*''Music and Musicians of Pennsylvania'' (a book compiled by Rohrer)
*''My Garden'' (a poem)
*''Toy Shop: a Christmas Play''
Vocal
*“Boy of Mine”
*“Collect” (text by Mary Stewart)
*“Collect of the National Federation of Music Clubs” (three women’s voices and piano)
*“From My Window”
*“Home Again”
*“Home from School”
*“I Miss You” (text by
Scottie McKenzie Frasier)
*''If I Were a Fairy'' (three women’s voice and piano)
*“Invocation” (text is
psalm 92
Psalm 92 is the 92nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate transl ...
)
*''Light'' (three women’s voices)
*“Love’s on the Highway”
*“Memories”
*“My Little House” (text by Nancy B. Turner)
*“New Colossus”
*“Pennsylvania: A State Song”
*“Pennsylvania Juniors”
*“Results and Roses” (text by
Edgar A. Guest)
*“Sleepy Song” (text by
Charles Buxton Going
Charles Buxton Going (April 4, 1863 - 1952 in France) was an Americans, American engineer, writer, and editor.
Biography
Born in Westchester, New York, Westchester N.Y., Going attended Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columb ...
)
*“Soul of Song” (text by Lillie Reed Zortman)
*“Spirit of England” (text by Alma Phillips)
*''Wood-nymph'' (mixed quartet; text by
Leonora Speyer
Leonora Speyer, Lady Speyer (née von Stosch; 7 November 1872 – 10 February 1956), was an American poet and violinist.
Life
She was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Count Ferdinand von Stosch of Manze in Silesia, who fought for th ...
)
*“Your Land and My Land” (text by George M. Demarest)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rohrer, Gertrude Martin
American women composers
American women songwriters
1875 births
1968 deaths
Writers from Indiana