Frances Tarbox

American composer and pianist^[1] Frances Tarbox (February 4, 1874 – October 23, 1959)^[2] wrote one opera^[3] and several songs.^[4] Her name is sometimes seen as Frances Tarbos.^[5]

Tarbox was born in St. Paul, Minnesota^[6] to Emma and Jasper Billings Tarbox. She studied music in Paris and with Edward MacDowell.^[7] She lived in New York City from at least 1910 until her death.^[2] Baritone Louis Graveure^[8] performed her best-known song "The Joy of a Rose" frequently in his recitals.^[9]

Tarbox's music was published by Carl Fischer.^[10] In addition to an opera (title unknown), her compositions included:

Piano

• Valse Pavlova^[11]

Vocal

• "America Stand Forth" (text by Michel Justin; pseud of Julie C. Pruyn)^[12]

• "Joy of a Rose"(text by A. L. Gruber)^[13]

• "Relief from the New Deal" (text by Michel Justin; pseud of Julie C. Pruyn)^[12]

• "What Them Fellows Does is Art"^[11]

• "We've Found At Last a Candidate of Presidential Timber" (text by Michel Justin; pseud of Julie C. Pruyn)^[14]