Florence McPherran 
Last updated: 14.08.23
All that is presently (2012) known about Florence McPherran has been gleaned from the covers of some of her eleven published works written between 1901 and 1907. She was apparently an American composer of popular music with Chicago connections. On the back cover of Fi-Fi (1907), her publisher Sterling Music Company, describes her flamboyantly as "The Most Popular Lady Composer of America.". The back cover also has a facsimile of the following endorsement from Thomas Preston Brooke, conductor of the Brooke Band (Marine Chicago dated May 3rd, 1904.

My Dear Madam,

I desire to congratulate you on your charming little Novelette - "Fi-Fi". You may rest assured that it will appear on many of my programs [in] the coming summer and I predict it one of the greatest successes in years.
Yours very truly,

Thomas Preston Brooke

Of ragtime interest is her Characteristic March & Two-Step, Laughing Lucas (1901). its sheet music back cover also sports the facsimile of an endorsement from John Philip Sousa written on August 12th, 1902 from Atlantic City. he wrote he would include both Laughing Lucas (1901) and Eugenia Waltzes(1902) in his programme and requested the scores and band parts for 55 men.

Another of the great bandleaders of the period who admired her works was Arthur Willard Pryor who made the following recordings in Philadelphia for Victor Recordings.
Matrix No. First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description
B-2193 2/2/1905 Fi-Fi novelette Pryor's Orchestra Orchestra
B-2195 2/2/1905 La Zurita Pryor's Orchestra Orchestra
B-2210 1/27/1905 Fi-Fi novelette Arthur Pryor's Band Band
B-2211 1/27/1905 La Zurita Arthur Pryor's Band Band



     Title Attribution Instruments Source Remarks
           
pdf15.gif Fi-Fi (1907) F. McPherran (music) Piano IMSLP wvicon.gif
This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 12 works by Florence McPherran. It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: ER pdf15.gif (w&m)
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
I'se Got No Use Foh Show Folks 1901 R.H. Hanch (words)  wvicon.gif
Laughing Lucas 1901  Pub.
Eugenia 1902
I Wonder if 'twas Very Wrong! (w&m) 1902  Pub.
Under the Wire 1904  Pub.
Farewell, My Belle (w&m) 1905 Viola Gillette (perf.)  wvicon.gif
Tale of the Snow Flake, The 1905 Viola Gillette (perf.)  Pub.
Nedra 1906  Pub.
Dottie Dimple 1907  Pub.
Fi-Fi 1907  Pub.
La Zurita 1907  Pub.
Sunny Sue 1907 Arthur J. Lamb (words)  Pub.