Annie Mottram Craig Batten: Difference between revisions

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==Early life and education==

Annie Harper Mottram was born in Canada. She was the eldest daughter<ref name=”TheCourier1906″>{{cite news |title=Married. Craig-Mottram |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news-married-craig-mottram/182699951/ |access-date=10 October 2025 |work=The Courier-News |via=Newspapers.com |date=5 July 1906 |location=Bridgewater, New Jersey |pages=8 |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref> of John H. H. and Mary Mottram.<ref name=”WomenOfTheWest1928″>{{cite book |last1=Binheim |first1=Max |last2=Elvin |first2=Charles A. |title=Women of the West: A Series of Biographical Sketches of Living Eminent Women in the Eleven Western States of the United States of America |date=1928 |publisher=Publishers Press |pages=217-18 |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Women_of_the_West.djvu/42 |via=Wikisource |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref>

She received her musical education at and graduated from the [[Toronto College of Music]], while the F. H. Torrington was director. She studied under the tuition of Dr. Albert Ham, FRCO, [[London, Canada]] and, in harmony, counterpoint and theory, under [[Humfrey Anger]], FRCO, Oxen.<ref name=”ThePacific1920″ /> She also studied with Arthur J. Hubbard (d. 1929) of [[Boston]] and William Yeatman Griffith (1874–1939) of [[New York City]].<ref name=”WomenOfTheWest1928″ /> Her studies included French, Italian and German.<ref name=”ThePacific1920″ />

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After her graduation, for two years she taught voice, piano and theory in Toronto, and was soprano soloist at the [[Metropolitan United Church]] of that city.<ref name=”ThePacific1920″ />

Coming to Los Angeles, Batten accepted the soprano position at the First Christian Church of this city, singing there for a year or two prior to her acceptance of a like position at the West Side Congregational Church (California Street, [[Pasadena, California]]),<ref name=”ThePacific1920″>{{cite journal |title=Annie Mottram Craig |journal=The Pacific Coast Musician |date=May 1920 |volume=9 |issue=5 |page=15 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfzYM4xLhxIC&pg=RA4-PA15 |access-date=9 October 2025 |publisher=Colby and Pryibil |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref> and about the same time, she served as director at the Church of the Messiah.<ref name=”MusicAnd1920″ /> While employed at the West Side Congregational Church, on June 27, 1906, she married Andrew Thomas Craig, in All Saints’ Church, Toronto.<ref name=”TheCourier1906″ /> He was an organist of Cowan Avenue Presbyterian Church, Toronto, and a member of the wareroom staff of Gourley, Winter, and Leaming.<ref name=”TheTorontoStar1906″>{{cite news |title=Craig-Mottram |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-craig-mottram/182701330/ |access-date=10 October 2025 |work=The Toronto Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=28 June 1906 |pages=10 |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref> Subsequent to the marriage, she made her home in Toronto.<ref name=”LAHerald1906″>{{cite news |title=Pasadena |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-herald-pasadena/182701476/ |access-date=10 October 2025 |work=Los Angeles Herald |date=17 June 1906 |pages=13 |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref>

She remained in the East a year or two, then returned to [[Southern California]] and accepted a two years’ engagement at the Mission Inn, in [[Riverside, California]]. At the same time, she was soloist at the First Congregational Church of that city.<ref name=”ThePacific1920″ />

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Batten was a Professor in the Vocal Faculty of the College of Music, [[University of Southern California]] (USC).<ref name=”Circular1921″>{{cite book |author1=University of Southern California |title=Circular of Information |date=1921 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UZw4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA19 |access-date=9 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> She taught in the State Teachers’ College in Santa Barbara (today, [[University of California, Santa Barbara]]) during summer sessions, 1921 and was Head of the Music Department, 1922.<ref name=”WomenOfTheWest1928″ />

[[File:Annie Mottram Craig (The Los Angeles Times, 1927).png|thumb|Craig in 1927]]

In 1927, she was a soprano soloist and director of the choir at St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church.<ref name=”PanPipes1927″ /> In 1931, it was announced that Batten and Minnie West McDonald, a teacher of piano and theory, were opening a piano and voice studio at McDonald’s home in [[Pasadena, California]].<ref name=”Pasadena1931″>{{cite news |title=New Studio Opens on North Oakland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pasadena-star-news-new-studio-opens-on-n/182678681/ |access-date=9 October 2025 |work=Pasadena Star-News |via=Newspapers.com |date=3 March 1931 |pages=10}}</ref>

The Battens moved to [[Brattleboro, Vermont]] in 1938 where her husband joined the medical staff of [[Brattleboro Retreat]]. At the same time, Mrs. Batten began teaching vocal classes at an area studio.<ref name=”TheBrattleboro1938″>{{cite news |title=Local |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brattleboro-reformer-local/182678763/ |access-date=9 October 2025 |work=The Brattleboro Reformer |via=Newspapers.com |date=6 June 1938 |pages=8}}</ref>

Her career included concert tours, and being a soloist for many local women’s clubs, such as the Lyric Club and with the Orpheus Club.<ref name=”ThePacific1920″ /> In addition, Batten composed a few small pieces.<ref name=”WomenOfTheWest1928″ />

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==Personal life==

In October 1927, Sigma Tau chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, national professional music sorority at USC, announced the marriage of Anne Mottram Craig to Charles Thomas Batten, Jr.,<ref name=”LATimes1928″>{{cite news |title=Marriage Announcements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-marriage-announcem/182678375/ |access-date=9 October 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |date=11 October 1927 |pages=24 |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref><ref name=”WomenOfTheWest1928″ /> tenor soloist at St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church.<ref name=”PanPipes1927″>{{cite journal |title=Theta Province Convention |journal=Pan Pipes of Sigma Alpha Iota |date=December 1927 |volume=19 |issue=1 |page=28 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RuXqhR_ethwC&pg=PA28 |access-date=9 October 2025 |publisher=George Banta Company |language=en}} {{Source-attribution}}</ref>

Batten was a resident of [[California]] for 35 years, making her home in Los Angeles.<ref name=”WomenOfTheWest1928″ />

”[[The Los Angeles Times]]” announced that Annie Batten’s funeral would occur at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Glendale, California]] on June 3, 1964.<ref name=”LATimes1964″>{{cite news |title=Funeral Announcements |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-funeral-announceme/182679028/ |access-date=9 October 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=3 June 1964 |pages=38}}</ref>

==References==

Annie Mottram Craig Batten
Craig in 1920
Born	Annie Harper Mottram 1883 (1883) Canada
Died	1964 (aged 80–81)
Other names	Annie Mottram Craig
Occupations	Singer vocal instructor composer
Spouses	Andrew Thomas Craig (m. 1906) Charles Thomas Batten, Jr. (m. 1927)

Annie Mottram Craig Batten (née, Mottram; after first marriage, Craig; after second marriage, Batten; 1883-1964) was a Canadian singer, vocal instructor, and composer, active primarily in California. Trained in Ontario, she taught and performed in Canada before settling in Los Angeles, where she became widely known for her work as a church soloist, concert performer, and teacher. Batten held vocal and choral positions at several churches in Southern California, and she taught voice at institutions including the University of Southern California and the State Teachers’ College in Santa Barbara. Her career extended across the Pacific Coast through concert appearances, as well as wartime performances for the Red Cross during World War I. Later in life, she continued her teaching career after relocating to Vermont.^[1]^[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Annie Harper Mottram was born in Canada. She was the eldest daughter^[3] of John H. H. and Mary Mottram.^[4]

She received her musical education at and graduated from the Toronto College of Music, while the F. H. Torrington was director. She studied under the tuition of Dr. Albert Ham, FRCO, London, Canada and, in harmony, counterpoint and theory, under Humfrey Anger, FRCO, Oxen.^[2] She also studied with Arthur J. Hubbard (d. 1929) of Boston and William Yeatman Griffith (1874–1939) of New York City.^[4] Her studies included French, Italian and German.^[2]

After her graduation, for two years she taught voice, piano and theory in Toronto, and was soprano soloist at the Metropolitan United Church of that city.^[2]

She remained in the East a year or two, then returned to Southern California and accepted a two years’ engagement at the Mission Inn, in Riverside, California. At the same time, she was soloist at the First Congregational Church of that city.^[2]

During World War I, Batten sang for the Red Cross, for the camps and for precinct meetings.^[2]

In 1920, Batten opened a studio in the Blanchard Hall Studio Building. At the same time, she held a position as soloist and choir director at the Hollywood Christian Church, and was voice instructor at the Elliott School for Girls, Los Angeles.^[2]^[5]

Batten was a Professor in the Vocal Faculty of the College of Music, University of Southern California (USC).^[8] She taught in the State Teachers’ College in Santa Barbara (today, University of California, Santa Barbara) during summer sessions, 1921 and was Head of the Music Department, 1922.^[4]

In 1927, she was a soprano soloist and director of the choir at St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church.^[1] In 1931, it was announced that Batten and Minnie West McDonald, a teacher of piano and theory, were opening a piano and voice studio at McDonald’s home in Pasadena, California.^[9]

The Battens moved to Brattleboro, Vermont in 1938 where her husband joined the medical staff of Brattleboro Retreat. At the same time, Mrs. Batten began teaching vocal classes at an area studio.^[10]

Her career included concert tours, and being a soloist for many local women’s clubs, such as the Lyric Club and with the Orpheus Club.^[2] In addition, Batten composed a few small pieces.^[4]

Batten was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Sigma Alpha Iota, Artland Club, Music and Fine Arts, MacDowell, L. A. Music Teachers’ Association, and Federated Church Musicians.^[4]

In October 1927, Sigma Tau chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, national professional music sorority at USC, announced the marriage of Anne Mottram Craig to Charles Thomas Batten, Jr.,^[11]^[4] tenor soloist at St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church.^[1]

Batten was a resident of California for 35 years, making her home in Los Angeles.^[4]

The Los Angeles Times announced that Annie Batten’s funeral would occur at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California on June 3, 1964.^[12]

^ ^a ^b ^c “Theta Province Convention”. Pan Pipes of Sigma Alpha Iota. 19 (1). George Banta Company: 28. December 1927. Retrieved 9 October 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ “Annie Mottram Craig”. The Pacific Coast Musician. 9 (5). Colby and Pryibil: 15. May 1920. Retrieved 9 October 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ ^a ^b “Married. Craig-Mottram”. The Courier-News. Bridgewater, New Jersey. 5 July 1906. p. 8. Retrieved 10 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Binheim, Max; Elvin, Charles A. (1928). Women of the West: A Series of Biographical Sketches of Living Eminent Women in the Eleven Western States of the United States of America. Publishers Press. pp. 217–18 – via Wikisource. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ ^a ^b “Los Angeles Notes”. Music and Musicians: Devoted Principally to the Interests of the Northwest. 6 (6). D.S. Craig: 15. July 1920. Retrieved 9 October 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ “Craig-Mottram”. The Toronto Star. 28 June 1906. p. 10. Retrieved 10 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ “Pasadena”. Los Angeles Herald. 17 June 1906. p. 13. Retrieved 10 October 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ University of Southern California (1921). Circular of Information. p. 19. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
^ “New Studio Opens on North Oakland”. Pasadena Star-News. 3 March 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ “Local”. The Brattleboro Reformer. 6 June 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ “Marriage Announcements”. The Los Angeles Times. 11 October 1927. p. 24. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ “Funeral Announcements”. The Los Angeles Times. 3 June 1964. p. 38. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

Early life and education

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