Ilse Gerda Wunsch

Ilse Gerda Wunsch (December 14, 1911 – October 8, 2003) was an American composer, pianist, teacher, and choral conductor who was born in Germany.

Wunsch was born in Berlin, where she began her studies in piano with and in music pedagogy with . She immigrated to the United States in 1938 She taught at the New York College of Music from 1948 to 1968 and at the Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University from 1960 to 1964. When the New York College of Music became New York University in 1968, Wunsch continued teaching as an associate professor of music education there. She was the organist and choir director at Temple Beth-El in Cedarhurst, New York, from 1949 to 1968.

Wunsch was married to Max Janowski from 1934 to 1946. She married Otto Mainzer in 1966.

Publications

Autobiography (in German) Zurück nach vorn. Mein Leben mit Prometheus. Stroemfeld / Roter Stern, Frankfurt am Main / Basel 1998.

Articles "Brainwriting in the Theory Class: The Importance of Perception in Taking Dictation" (Music Educators Journal vol 60 no 1 September 1973) "Improvisation. . . How?" (American Music Teacher vol 21 no 6 1972)

Compositions

Sabbath Morning Service (text by Rabbi Edward T. Sandrow, for unison or two-part chorus and solo voice with organ or piano accompaniment; 1956) Sacred Songs Twelve Progressing Tone Plays (for piano; 1972)