In 1904, after two unsuccessful marriages, Lemare met Charlotte Bauersmith, a young organist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Charlotte attended all of Lemare’s concerts and eventually asked him for lessons. Finding his music in a chaotic state, she set out to catalogue it for him. Lemare stated: “She came to me at one of my recitals desiring to become a student. While I was explaining most definitely that I did not give lessons, having all my time occupied with recital work and composing, I suddenly found that I was suggesting that I might give her a few months lessons as she was contemplating going to London to study for a degree.” (OIHM p. 32)
Lemare recognized Charlotte’s talent as a musician and gave her letters of introduction to the Royal Academy of Music. After a year’s study there, Charlotte passed her examinations “with flying colors” and became the first American woman to be a Licentiate. (OIHM p. 33)
Lemare stated, “Charlotte was a little surprised to learn that I had always had more than simply a passing interest in the fulfilment of her desire to become more than an average organist.”
In 1909, Charlotte and Edwin were married and honeymooned in Italy.
Lemare stated, “It was the beginning of a new life for me. My wife, with her knowledge of music and also of the organ, was of great help to me. In fact, I needed her at my recitals; not as a member of the audience, but close to my side. If it happened that she could not sit near me at the organ without being seen by the audience, I would have a small stool brought next to the organ bench. At my rehearsals she was invaluable as she would listen from a seat in the auditorium and advise me as to the effects. She was my only audience at rehearsals, the doors being locked against all outsiders.” (OIHM p. 33)
Charlotte also transcribed Lemare’s compositions (which he tended to scrawl in pencil with tiny notes) into manuscript form for publishing.
Lemare’s Hand
Charlotte’s Manuscript
“Dawn” (unpublished)
Lemare and Charlotte were married for twenty five years and had two children, Edwin Artis and Betty.
Before Edwin Artis was four years old, he had crossed the Atlantic five times. One day he was asked where he lived, to which he replied “boats and trains—and sometimes in hotels.” (OIHM p. 38)
Charlotte was an accomplished organist in her own right and took Lemare’s place at a moment’s notice when he was ill or unable to perform.
Lemare stated, “I was always proud of Charlotte’s ability and delighted to receive glowing accounts of her recitals by the press.” (OIHM p. 43)
Charlotte was also a composer. She wrote many songs for children-- some of which were never published:
Charlotte composed an operetta called “The Kidnapped Bride” as well as the librettos for two operettas composed by Lemare toward the end of his life: “Our City Fathers” and “Art Goes a Begging” (both unpublished.)
Charlotte continued to promote Lemare’s music after his death and finalized his autobiography, Organs I Have Met.
In later years, Charlotte lived with her daughter, Betty, granddaughter, Jeannine and son in law, Pierre. Jeannine called her grandmother “Booka” because Charlotte gave her so many “Little Golden Books.” When Jeannine began studying music herself, she was amazed that “Booka” could sit down at the piano and sight read absolutely anything!
Charlotte died on February 23, 1963 in the Lemare family home in Los Angeles.
