Marjorie was a child prodigy and very talented in music. She graduated from college at age 20 and studied in Berlin, Germany in 1930-1932. She went on to become a concert pianist.
Marjorie was home schooled and had an extremely sheltered childhood. She began college at the age of 16. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa having majored in music and in 1931 traveled to Berlin to study piano with Richard Buhlig. When she returned to the U.S. in 1932 she married Brooke Petray.
In 1934 she took a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Lecturer in Music. She introduced solfege from Europe as well as teaching piano ensemble and harmony. She also gave private lessons to advanced students at their home. She performed often and was chosen to play for the dedication of Hertz Hall on the University campus in 1958. A work was commissioned of Ernest Bloch for the Griller Quartet and Marjorie Petray.
She had thumb surgery for arthritis in the early 1960s, but the job was not done properly and the procedure had to be re -done. She continued to teach, but was no longer able to play up to her standards. She could no longer span the large chords of Romantic music, and was limited to playing the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. This was devastating for her and led to depression.
Marjorie continued to teach at the University until her death in 1971. The music department felt her loss keenly. They had a very meaningful memorial service where students shared memories and music. Jack Swackhamer wrote:
"Marjorie Petray loved and lived music. While she was passionately committed to her views and way-of-doing as performer and teacher, she remained always remarkably open to other views and ways. It is a privilege and a great exciting pleasure to have had her for friend, teacher and colleague."
Marjorie was home schooled and had an extremely sheltered childhood. She began college at the age of 16. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa having majored in music and in 1931 traveled to Berlin to study piano with Richard Buhlig. When she returned to the U.S. in 1932 she married Brooke Petray.
In 1934 she took a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Lecturer in Music. She introduced solfege from Europe as well as teaching piano ensemble and harmony. She also gave private lessons to advanced students at their home. She performed often and was chosen to play for the dedication of Hertz Hall on the University campus in 1958. A work was commissioned of Ernest Bloch for the Griller Quartet and Marjorie Petray.
She had thumb surgery for arthritis in the early 1960s, but the job was not done properly and the procedure had to be re -done. She continued to teach, but was no longer able to play up to her standards. She could no longer span the large chords of Romantic music, and was limited to playing the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. This was devastating for her and led to depression.
Marjorie continued to teach at the University until her death in 1971. The music department felt her loss keenly. They had a very meaningful memorial service where students shared memories and music. Jack Swackhamer wrote:
"Marjorie Petray loved and lived music. While she was passionately committed to her views and way-of-doing as performer and teacher, she remained always remarkably open to other views and ways. It is a privilege and a great exciting pleasure to have had her for friend, teacher and colleague."
Marjorie was a child prodigy and very talented in music. She graduated from college at age 20 and studied in Berlin, Germany in 1930-1932. She went on to become a concert pianist.
Marjorie was home schooled and had an extremely sheltered childhood. She began college at the age of 16. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa having majored in music and in 1931 traveled to Berlin to study piano with Richard Buhlig. When she returned to the U.S. in 1932 she married Brooke Petray.
In 1934 she took a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Lecturer in Music. She introduced solfege from Europe as well as teaching piano ensemble and harmony. She also gave private lessons to advanced students at their home. She performed often and was chosen to play for the dedication of Hertz Hall on the University campus in 1958. A work was commissioned of Ernest Bloch for the Griller Quartet and Marjorie Petray.
She had thumb surgery for arthritis in the early 1960s, but the job was not done properly and the procedure had to be re -done. She continued to teach, but was no longer able to play up to her standards. She could no longer span the large chords of Romantic music, and was limited to playing the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. This was devastating for her and led to depression.
Marjorie continued to teach at the University until her death in 1971. The music department felt her loss keenly. They had a very meaningful memorial service where students shared memories and music. Jack Swackhamer wrote:
"Marjorie Petray loved and lived music. While she was passionately committed to her views and way-of-doing as performer and teacher, she remained always remarkably open to other views and ways. It is a privilege and a great exciting pleasure to have had her for friend, teacher and colleague."
Marjorie was home schooled and had an extremely sheltered childhood. She began college at the age of 16. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa having majored in music and in 1931 traveled to Berlin to study piano with Richard Buhlig. When she returned to the U.S. in 1932 she married Brooke Petray.
In 1934 she took a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Lecturer in Music. She introduced solfege from Europe as well as teaching piano ensemble and harmony. She also gave private lessons to advanced students at their home. She performed often and was chosen to play for the dedication of Hertz Hall on the University campus in 1958. A work was commissioned of Ernest Bloch for the Griller Quartet and Marjorie Petray.
She had thumb surgery for arthritis in the early 1960s, but the job was not done properly and the procedure had to be re -done. She continued to teach, but was no longer able to play up to her standards. She could no longer span the large chords of Romantic music, and was limited to playing the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. This was devastating for her and led to depression.
Marjorie continued to teach at the University until her death in 1971. The music department felt her loss keenly. They had a very meaningful memorial service where students shared memories and music. Jack Swackhamer wrote:
"Marjorie Petray loved and lived music. While she was passionately committed to her views and way-of-doing as performer and teacher, she remained always remarkably open to other views and ways. It is a privilege and a great exciting pleasure to have had her for friend, teacher and colleague."
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