Christine Asdurian (born Armenia; February 17, 1893 – April 29, 1963) was an American pianist who composed the music to the University of Miami Alma Mater in 1926, (lyrics by William Seth Lampe).Ibis Yearbook, 1927, p. 9, Alma Mater words by William S. Lampe, music by Christine Asdurian, University of Miami Digital Collections, merrick.miami.edu http://merrick.library.miami.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/asu0039/id/5842/rec/1 She was enrolled as a music student at the University of Miami in 1926 and 1927 as one of its 646 first enrolled students.Ibis Yearbook, 1927, p. 128, University of Miami Digital CollectionsPalm Beach Post, January 23, 1927, page 18 She studied piano with Earl Chester Smith. Bertha Foster, UM’s first music dean, also mentored Christine. Bowman F. Ashe, The University of Miami’s first president, was known to recruit her to perform in civic functions and donor appreciation events.
At age 3, Asdurian traveled with her father, a clergyman, to the United States; he died soon after.The Miami News, April 4, 1926, p. 2, interview with Grace Stone Hall She was adopted by two sisters, Sarah A. Thompson and Esther H. Thompson, of Litchfield, Connecticut,1900 U.S. Census and 1910 U.S.Census and her name was changed to Christine Oviatt Thompson.
Asdurian attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio,Oberlin Course Catalog 1912-1913, student roster, page 176 Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina,Converse College Special Collections, Yearbook 1915-1916, and archival 1958 letter from Thompson to registrar, Converse College Special Collections and earned an M.A. in comparative literature from Columbia University, New York in 1917.A bibliography and summary of the criticism on M. Joseph Bedier's theory of the origin of French medieval romances as developed in his book 'Les legendes epiques' by Christina Oviatt Thompson, Columbia University Archives, https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/4290424 In 1924 and 1925, Asdurian was a staff pianist for Gimbels, a department store chain, performing throughout the New York tri-state area for a recurring broadcast radio show on WEAF, WGBS, and WMCA.Baltimore Sun, September 27, 1924; Philadelphia Inquirer, November 8, 1924; Philadelphia Inquirer, December 25, 1924; Philadelphia Inquirer, October 10, 1925
While a student at the University of Miami, Asdurian broadcast on WGBUMiami News, March 22, 1926 and worked as a statistician with the Miami Chamber of Commerce.The Miami News, April 4, 1926, p. 2 She also performed recitals,Miami News, December 2, 1926; Miami News, March 27, 1927 and composed children's music.Miami News, March 17, 1927
After attending the University of Miami, Asdurian returned to the New York area in 1928 and resumed her live radio performances until 1931.Asdurian/WJZ New York/News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, December 21, 1928; Asdurian/WOR Newark/Baltimore Sun, May 11, 1929; Thompson/WOR Newark/Asbury Park Press, June 4, 1931, She then moved to Los AngelesLetter from University of Miami President JFW Pearson addressed to Christine Asdurian Thompson, July 11, 1961, referencing her as the composer of the Alma Mater, University of Miami Archives and Special Collections and died there on April 29, 1963.California Death Index 1940-1997, Ancestry.com
References