When music anthologist Claire R. Reis, with assistance from Aaron Coplan, compiled a list of outstanding American composers in 1946, Carl Ellis Eppert was among the choices.

Born Nov. 5, 1882, in Carbon in Clay County, Eppert moved to Terre Haute in 1888 when his father, William E. Eppert, became secretary and director of Coal Bluff Mining Co., headed by J. Smith Talley. The Epperts initially resided at 641 Cherry St.

Besides attending schools and playing with the Ringgold Band, little information has been assembled about his local music background.

Reis contends in her biographical sketch that Eppert founded a symphony orchestra in Terre Haute in 1903. However, that assertion has not yet been confirmed.

It is known that, as a young man, he studied harmony and piano at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, founded in 1886 by John J. Hattstaedt.

By the time Eppert was 24 years old, his musical genius took him to Europe. In late 1907, he located in Berlin to study harmony, orchestration and composition with Hugo Kaun, who became an important force in his life.

Eppert also studied score reading and conducting with Arthur Nikisch and Ernst Kunwald, both of whom were conductors of the Berlin Philharmonic.

As a result of those experiences, he taught music theory in Berlin for several years and appeared as guest conductor on several occasions.

At the beginning of World War I, Eppert returned to the United States to head the Seattle Grand Opera Company, still recovering from a devastating opera house fire.

Meanwhile, he wrote one of his first notable compositions for orchestra, "Arabian Suite, Opus 16." Displaying his versatility, Eppert then authored "Sonata for Violin and Piano, Opus 11," "Serenade for String Orchestra, Opus 23," "The Fog Bell, Opus 25" a tone poem, "Song of the Skipper, Opus 20" and "Kaintuckee," an opera in one act.

In 1921, Eppert was engaged as dean of all theoretical branches of the Conservatory of Music in Wisconsin, which became his home for the rest of his life.

Kaun, founder of the Milwaukee Maennerchor during the 1890s before resuming his career as conductor and concert composer in Berlin, apparently wielded some influence on Eppert's decision to accept the position.

Eppert became dean of the Milwaukee Musical Institute and founded the Milwaukee civic and symphony orchestras, both of which he conducted from 1923 to 1927.

Though known for his work ethic, Eppert's heavy work commitments slowed his productivity. "The Pioneer, Opus 40," a tone poem, and "String Quartet No. 1, E minor, Opus 45" were his only notable compositions during that period.

Once relieved from daily responsibilities, Eppert's creative juices flowed. He was highly productive in the 1930s, winning the National Broadcasting Company Orchestra Award for his composition of "Traffic" in 1932 and receiving a special award from the Juilliard Foundation for parts of his 1938 "Symphony No. 4 in F, 'Timber' Opus 70."

His symphonic works for band, "The Road to Mecca," and "Symphonic Tonette," composed in 1933 and 1934, respectively, were played and broadcast by the U.S. Navy, Army and Marine bands.

Eppert's many compositions for chorus, including "The Road Song of the Bandar-Log," "The Candle," "Mississippi," "Song of the Skipper" and "The Battle of Beowulf" also received acclaim.

In 1941, Eppert won first prize in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Golden Jubille Contest for Suite No. 1 of his "Ballet of the Vitamins."

In Terre Haute, William E. Eppert, a graduate of Terre Haute Commercial College, and his wife, the former Ida Stephenson, raised a large family.

At the time William Eppert became an officer of Coal Bluff Mining Co., it was one of the largest independent mining companies in Indiana, with 1,600 employees, producing one million tons of coal annually.

For several years, Eppert was secretary of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association.

Before his retirement, the elder Eppert was president of Eureka Block Coal Co. of Clay County and Coal Creek Coal Co. and also was an independent coal broker. He was president of Terre Haute Stove & Furnace Co. and Home Furniture & Carpet Co., and vice president of Terre Haute Coal & Lime Co.

Restless in retirement, William Eppert became the bailiff in Vigo County Superior Court 2, a position he held at his death on April 23, 1934.

Composer Carl E. Eppert died in Milwaukee on Oct. 1, 1961, and was survived by his wife, Hertha, and their two sons, Carl Jr. and William, both residents of Wilmington, Del.