Esther Williamson Ballou (17 July 1915 – 12 March 1973) was an American music educator, organist and composer. She was born in Elmira

Elmira

Elmira may refer to the following places:In Canada:* Elmira, Ontario* Elmira, Prince Edward IslandIn the United States:* Elmira, California* Elmira, Indiana* Elmira, Michigan* Elmira, Missouri* Elmira, New York...

, New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, began organ lessons at age 13, and began composing in her twenties. She studied at Bennington College

Bennington College

Bennington College is a liberal arts college located in Bennington, Vermont, USA. The college was founded in 1932 as a women's college and became co-educational in 1969.-History:-Early years:...

, Mills College

Mills College

Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...

 and The Juilliard School of Music in 1943.

After completing her education, she married Harold Ballou in August 1950. Her performing career was shortened by arthritis, and she taught at the Juilliard School from 1943–50, at Catholic University

Catholic University

A Catholic University is a private university run by the Catholic Church or by Catholic organizations like religious institutes. Those with closer ties to the Holy See are called pontifical universities....

 from 1951–54 and at American University

American University

American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...

 from 1955–72.

In 1963, her Capriccio for Violin and Piano was the first work by an American woman composer to premiere at the White House

White House

The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...

. She died in Chichester

Chichester

Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

.

Works

Ballou composed orchestra, chamber, organ, piano and vocal music. Selected works include:

• Nocturne, 1937
• Adagio for Bassoon and String Orchestra, 1962
• Allegro for String Quartet
• The Art of the Fugue, 1963
• A Babe is Born, 1959
• Bag of Tricks, 1956
• The Beatitudes, 1963
• Beguine, 1960
• Beguine for Two Pianos, 1958
• Berceuse for Piano Forte, 1956
• Blues, 1944
• Brass Sextette with Piano Forte, 1962
• Bride, 1963
• Capriccio for Violin and Piano, 1963
• Christmas Mass (Palestrina)
• Chromatic Invention
• Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, 1964
• Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, 1964
• Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, 1965
• Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, 1964
• Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, 1969

She published a text:

• Creative Explorations of Musical Elements (1971)