Mae Doelling Schmidt

Mae Doelling Schmidt, born Mary Metzke, was the youngest of four girls born to Julius (aka August) Metzke (surname also spelled Mätzke; 1847–1907) and Marie J. Schwechert (maiden; 1854–1892), both German immigrants from Prussia who married in Chicago on August 28, 1878. Mae's mother died when she was 4 years old.

Mae Doelling played piano in concerts and recitals, notably as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Women's Symphony Orchestra of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Symphony. She was a member of the Zukovsky Trio, with Alexander Zukovsky (1880–1942) (violin)[Notes 2] and Theodore du Moulin (1888–1978) (cello).[11] A 1922 report described Doelling as "forceful when necessary", but adding that "she relies on brains rather than physical strength to bring out the beauties of the music."[12] She often included her own compositions in her programs. Her piano compositions included "Two Studies" (1922), "Venetienne" (1939), "Swiss Music Box" (1939), "Romance" (1939), "Tarantella for 2 solo pianos."[13][14]

Mae Doelling Schmidt taught piano at the American Conservatory of Music.[15][16] One of her piano students, Mae Willems (née Mary J. Willems; 1902–1967), who was blind, went on to become a celebrated pianist, singer, and music educator in Chicago.[13][14] Doelling also gave presentations on the music of China and Latin America, to children and community groups.[17][18] She was an officer in the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs,[7] and represented Chicago at a meeting of the National Federation of Music Clubs.[8]

At age 14, Doelling played before the last King of Saxony, Frederick Augustus III, at the Taschenbergpalais. She also performed for Princess Louise of Belgium and other royal audiences.

On November 29, 1934, Doelling performed the American premier of Max Trapp's Concerto for Pianoforte in D Major, Op. 26, with the Chicago Symphony in the Auditorium Theatre, Frederick Stock conducting.

Schmidt actually performed the concerto earlier, on March 3, 1934, for a private event hosted by plant pathologist Fred Reuel Jones, PhD (1884–1956), and wife, Edith Jones (née Edith Katharine Seymour; 1896–1984), at the College Club in Madison, Wisconsin, for 75 guests that included her sister, Mrs. Chester Barlow (née Louise Theadora Metzke; 1885–1976) – the second youngest of the four.[19] The College Club at 12 East Gilman Street was the Madison branch of the American Association of University Women.

Mae Doelling, on July 4, 1922, married musician Richard Walter Schmidt (1888–1945) in Chicago at her residence at Pine Lodge, 3616 Pine Grove Avenue in the Norwood Park neighborhood.[20] She died March 11, 1965 – age 76 – at the Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. She was buried four days later at Arcadia Park Cemetery, Near Norwood Park. She was a widow when she died.[21][7]

• Mae Doelling Schmidt at Find a Grave
• Photo: Exterior of Mr. and Mrs. Paul William Doelling's residence at 737 West Melrose Street, Chicago (Lake View, East neighborhood); Conrad Sulzer Regional Library: Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection (re: Ravenswood, Lake View)
  Notes written on back: "Mr. and Mrs. Doelling, Mr. Utesch, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Dogs – Nellie and Fanny" (circa 1888); OCLC 893904911