Olive P. Endres (1898-1995) was a Madison-based pianist and composer of religious and
secular music. Olive was born in Johnsberg, Wisconsin into a musical family. Her father was
a music teacher and organist, and Olive began to study piano at the age of four. She learned
alongside her sisters Marie and Emma, with whom she would collaborate throughout her
career.
Olive graduated from the Wisconsin School of Music, and then from the American Conservatory
of Music with a degree in theory and composition. She went on to attend the Julliard School
of Music, and studied privately in New York City for two years. On her return to Madison,
Olive taught piano at the Wisconsin School of Music and at Milton College. She also acted as
organist for St. James Church, where her sister Marie directed the church choir.
Olive composed music throughout her life. Several works for piano were published in the
1920s and 30s. She also composed religious choral works for St. James Church, and
instrumental music performed by the Madison String Sinfonia. Many of her works were
performed regularly, and she won several competitions, including first place in the
Wisconsin State Composers Contest in 1958 for her "Magnificat for soprano, mixed chorus,
trumpet and strings".
