Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 1, 2026

Ada Weigel Powers

Ada Elvira Weigel Powers was an American composer, pianist, and playwright who composed songs and music for ballet, piano, and violin.

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Aug 1, 2026
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Ada Elvira Weigel Powers (30 May 1863 - 6 Oct 1947)1 was an American composer, pianist, and playwright who composed songs2 and music for ballet,3 piano, and violin.4

Powers was born in Watertown, New York, to Elvira Ada Kane and Samuel Mann Weigel.5 Little is known about her education. She married John Orville John Powers in 1897 and they had two boys and two girls.6

Powers’ compositions were performed by baritone David Bispham 7 and organist Clarence Eddy,8 with whom she collaborated on “Shepherd’s Song.” 9 Her works were published by Edward Schuberth & Company,10 and included:

Ballet

  • Slavonic Dance (string orchestra)11

Chamber

  • Exile Song (violin and piano)12

Piano

  • Clown’s Serenade9
  • May Day Dance13
  • Miniature Dance9
  • Shepherd’s Song9
  • Song of the Wildflowers9
  • Souvenir14
  • Story of Long Ago13
  • Three Compositions for Pianoforte9

Plays

  • The Scar15
  • The Window16

Vocal

  • “Chanson d’Amour”17
  • “Jester’s Drinking Song” (text by Powers; music by George E. Shea)9
  • “Shepherd’s Song” (text by Powers; music by Clarence Eddy)9
  • “Weep Not for the Dead”9
References

References

  1. "Biographical Dictionary of the Organ | Ada Weigel Powers". www.organ-biography.info. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  2. Cohen, Aaron I. (1987). International Encyclopedia of Women Composers. Books & Music USA. p. 558. ISBN 978-0-9617485-1-7.
  3. Wier, Albert E. (1938). The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians. New York: The Macmillan Company. p. 1462.
  4. Stern, Susan (1978). Women composers: a handbook. Metuchen London: the Scarecrow press. pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-0-8108-1138-6.
  5. "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2026-06-29.
  6. Harvard Class of 1891 - Fifth Report. Rockwell & Churchill Press. 1911.
  7. "David Bispham, America's Baritone, Coming to Liberty". Evening Times Star. Alameda, California. 22 Nov 1911. p. 7.
  8. Music News. Music News Corporation. 1916.
  9. "Ada Weigel Powers". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  10. Stewart-Green, Miriam (1980). Women composers: a checklist of works for the solo voice. A Reference publication in women's studies. Boston, Mass: G.K. Hall. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-8161-8498-9.
  11. The Crescendo. Crescendo Publishing Company. 1914.
  12. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Musical compositions. Library of Congress, Copyright Office. 1929.
  13. Musical Observer. Musical Observer Company. 1928.
  14. Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1930). Catalog of Copyright Entries. Fourth Series. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
  15. Catalogue of Copyright Entries. Jon Orwant.
  16. Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Pamphlets, leaflets, contributions to newspapers or periodicals, etc.; lectures, sermons, addresses for oral delivery; dramatic compositions; maps; motion pictures. Part 1, group 2. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1920.
  17. Musical Observer. Musical Observer Company. 1928.
  18. "Reading of "Elaine"". Montclair Times. New Jersey. 7 March 1914. p. 5.
  19. "Ada Weigel Powers Song Texts | LiederNet". www.lieder.net. Retrieved 2026-07-01.