Alton Adams facts for kids

Alton Adams (1922) in his naval uniform

Alton Augustus Adams, Sr. (born November 4, 1889 – died November 23, 1987) was a very important musician and leader. He is best known as the first black bandmaster in the United States Navy. This happened in 1917. Famous bandleaders like John Philip Sousa and Edwin Franko Goldman performed his music. His march "The Governor's Own" (from 1921) is even the first song on a special album called Pride of America.

Early Life and Learning

Alton Adams was born in St. Thomas. His parents wanted to be skilled workers. He went to elementary school and then learned to be a carpenter and a shoemaker. But he really loved music and reading.

He chose to play the piccolo because it was cheaper than a full-size flute. In 1906, he joined the St. Thomas Municipal Band. At the same time, he studied music theory and how to compose music. He took classes by mail from the University of Pennsylvania.

In June 1910, Adams started his own group called the Adams Juvenile Band. This band quickly became very popular in Charlotte Amalie, the capital city. They played for many social events, charity events, and regular concerts. They often played in Emancipation Garden. This garden celebrates the day slaves were freed in 1848.

Adams learned a lot from music magazines from the United States. He started writing too! In 1910, he wrote an article about the black composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. In 1915, he became the music editor for a newspaper called The Herald. A year later, he wrote a column about bands for Boston's Jacobs' Band Monthly.

Adams liked to highlight new, original music, not just old songs. His writings caught the attention of famous musicians like John Philip Sousa. He believed music could help educate the community. When the United States bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark, Adams was in a unique position. He had great skills and was respected by many.

His Career

On June 2, 1917, Adams and his whole Juvenile Band joined the United States Navy. This was a huge moment! They became the first African Americans to get official music jobs in the U.S. Navy since the War of 1812. This made Adams the Navy's first black bandmaster.

This was a special situation. The Navy needed to connect with the mostly black population on the islands. Adams used his position as bandleader and Chief Petty Officer to help. His band helped calm racial tensions during World War I. Adams and his band also taught Navy leaders about the needs of the Virgin Islanders.

Adams also became a social leader on the islands. He helped with the Red Cross. He also helped start the public library in Charlotte Amalie. And he worked to improve music education in public schools.

In 1922, he traveled to the U.S. mainland to study music education. The best part of his Navy career was a tour in 1924. His U.S. Navy Band of the Virgin Islands was excellent. They won praise from audiences in many cities like Washington, D.C., and New York.

Adams' music sounds like John Philip Sousa's. It is full of energy and shows a strong love for his country. His most famous songs include the "Virgin Islands March" (1919), "The Governor's Own" (1921), and "The Spirit of the U.S.N." (1924). He dedicated "The Spirit of the U.S.N." to President Calvin Coolidge. After this trip, the band never had the same fame on the U.S. mainland.

In 1931, Adams' unit moved to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. This happened when a civilian government took over the islands. This separated Adams from his family and friends. On December 27, 1932, a fire destroyed Adams' home in St. Thomas. His daughter Hazel died in the fire. Many of his writings and music were also lost.

In 1933, he retired from the Navy and returned to St. Thomas. He soon went back to working for the public school music program. He briefly worked as a newspaper editor again. But World War II started, and he was called back to active duty.

He went back to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. There, Adams took over an all-white band. He got permission to bring back eight of his old band members. This created the first racially integrated band approved by the U.S. Navy! The next year, Adams and the other islanders moved back to St. Thomas. They reformed the original all-black band. In 1944, the band moved again, this time to Puerto Rico. Adams finally retired from the Navy for good in 1945.

Later Life and Death

Back in St. Thomas, Adams combined his love for business and his community. He was appointed to a committee for the St. Thomas Power Authority. In 1947, he opened his home as the Adams 1799 Guest House. This helped increase the number of hotel rooms on the island.

In 1952, Adams helped start the Virgin Islands Hotel Association. He was soon elected president and stayed in that role until 1971. During this time, Adams also worked as a reporter. He wrote for the Associated Press and the Associated Negro Press. He also wrote articles for the Pittsburgh Courier and other publications.

He never ran for public office. But he was very involved in island politics. He advised leaders and wrote comments in newspapers. In 1963, his song, “Virgin Islands March,” was officially accepted by the islands' government. In 1982, it became the official song of the territory. Adams closed his guest house around 1983. He died in Charlotte Amalie on November 23, 1987, shortly after his 98th birthday.

Legacy

For a while, Alton Adams was almost forgotten. But today, his story and music are becoming popular again. The United States Navy Band has rediscovered his music. A book that includes Adams’ own memories was published in 2007.

Compositions

Marches

• "Ingolf March" (1910) [missing]
• "Virgin Islands March" (1919)
• "The Governor's Own" (1921)
• "Spirit of the U.S.N." (1924)

Waltzes

• "Caribbean Echoes"
• "Childhood Merriment," dedicated to all his children, especially Hazel who created the main melody

Bamboulas

• "Bull Passin'"

Solos

• "Warbling in the Moonlight" (piccolo with band accompaniment)
• "Doux Rêve d'Amour" (piano, 1912)

Songs

• "Sweet Virgin Isles" (1925)
• "Welcome to Our President" (1934), originally written as a song of welcome for Eleanor Roosevelt on a visit to the Virgin Islands and later revised for a visit of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Recordings

• "The Governor's Own" is available on The Golden Age of the American March (New World Records 80266) performed by the Goldman Band (Richard Franko Goldman conducting).