CALL, Audrey

Audrey Call Marcelli was an American violinist, composer and teacher. Born in 1905 in Indiana, she began playing the violin as a child and became known early as a gifted performer. Her career developed across concert performance, radio, studio orchestras and teaching, making her part of the lively American musical world of the early and mid-twentieth century.
Call was especially active as a violinist in Chicago, New York and later Hollywood. She performed and worked with studio orchestras for NBC and CBS, often valued for her strong technique, sight-reading ability and versatility. She also appeared on major radio programs, including Fibber McGee and Molly, Dennis Day and Halls of Ivy, and played for Hollywood film soundtracks, including Around the World in 80 Days.
As a composer, Audrey Call is particularly notable for writing violin music influenced by jazz and popular styles, an unusual field for a woman composer of her generation. Her works include The Witch of Harlem, Streamline, Serenade to a Cornstalk Fiddle, A Lady from Baltimore, The Bishop Check-Mates, The Duke Takes a Train, and the suite Canterbury Tales. She also wrote popular songs, including material connected with radio. Later in life she taught violin and piano for many years, continuing her musical work into old age.