Kate Calvin
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Kate P. Calvin (November 4, 1856 - April 9, 1936) was the only woman among
Montana State College Montana State University (MSU) is a public land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana, United States. It enrolls more students than any other college or university in the state. MSU offers baccalaureate degrees in 60 fields, master's d ...
's first three professors and the first music professor.


Early life

Kate P. Calvin was born on November 4, 1856. She studied piano in the United States and Germany.


Career

Kate Calvin joined
Montana State College Montana State University (MSU) is a public land-grant research university in Bozeman, Montana, United States. It enrolls more students than any other college or university in the state. MSU offers baccalaureate degrees in 60 fields, master's d ...
in 1894 when the college was primarily a place where to study "agriculture and the mechanical arts". She was among the first three professors of the college; the others were Augustus M. Ryon, mining engineer who served as the founding president of Montana State University, and Frank W. Traphagen. Ryon and Traphagen were paid salaries, instead Calvin, arriving from the
College of Montana The College of Montana was a private liberal arts college that existed in Deer Lodge, Montana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1878 as the "Montana Collegiate Institute", the school was the first institution of higher learnin ...
,
Deer Lodge, Montana Deer Lodge is a city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, Powell County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,938 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Description The city is perhaps best known as the home of th ...
, had to earn her compensation from the fees she charged for music lessons. In Calvin's course special attention was given to thorough technique and correct interpretation, with practical analysis of rhythm and form. Instruction in theory, analysis and history of music was free to all members of the piano department. She used Jadassohn and Emery's Harmony, and those wishing to take a complete course in piano must pass examination in harmony. Frequent recitals were given by the students for the purpose of acquiring confidence in playing at public concerts. Pupils received also special training in memorizing and sight-reading. Pupils not capable of advancement were not encouraged to continue the lessons. Nothing was more unpardonable than for a teacher to permit a pupil to continue work where success could be only partial. Such pupils spent time and money altogether in vain. No definite time was fixed for completing this course. Some made more rapid progress than others, and accomplished in four years what would take others six or eight years to finish. Students who did satisfactory work and passed the required examinations were granted diplomas. Tuition for class lessons, two lessons per week throughout the year, was $45.00 ($22.50 for one semester); for private lessons, one lesson per week throughout the year, $51.00 ($25.50 one lesson per week for one semester); Harmony for five or more students, $15.00 for the entire academic year (one lesson a week); piano rent, two periods each day, $10.00 per year. $45 in 1900 amounted to $1,239.38 in 2017. Calvin was so successful in earning her salary that by 1901 she was able to build her own house on 609 South Grand, Bozeman. Other than her own house, she built a larger house next door at 613 South Grand to serve as boarding house. Calvin retired from teaching in 1904 and continued with her real estate business. From 1899 to 1900 she took a leave of absence from the College to spend the sabbatical time in Europe. In 1922 she was treasurer of the School District 7 of the Kit Carson County, Colorado.


Personal life

In Bozeman, Kate Calvin lived at 609 South Grand (still standing) and owned also the Boarding House at 613. Calvin died on April 9, 1936, and is buried at Sunset Hills Cemetery,
Bozeman, Montana Bozeman ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States. The 2020 United States census put Bozeman's population at 53,293, making it Montana's fourth-largest city. It is the principal city of the Bozeman, Montan ...


Legacy

One quad of the dormitory at Montana State College, Quad B, is named after Kate Calvin.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calvin, Kate 1856 births 1936 deaths Montana State University faculty People from Bozeman, Montana