Carrie B. Wilson Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carrie Belle (Wilson) Adams
Born	Carrie Belle Wilson July 28, 1858 Oxford, Ohio
Died	December 15, 1940 (aged 81) Portland, Oregon
Occupation	Choral conductor and composer; pianist
Notable work	First American woman to conduct Handel's "Messiah" (1896) and one of the most prolific American composers
Spouse(s)	Allyn G. Adams (m. 1880–1936; his death)
Children	Stanley Adams
Parent(s)	David Wilson and Allie (Myers) Wilson

Carrie Belle (Wilson) Adams (1858–1940) was an amazing American musician. She was the first American woman to lead a public performance of Handel's famous musical story, "Messiah." Carrie was born in Ohio and was a true child prodigy in music. She performed for the first time when she was only seven years old!

She spent most of her life in Indiana. There, she worked as a choral conductor, leading choirs, and as an organist. By the time she passed away in Portland, Oregon, she had become one of the most active American composers. She wrote an incredible 4,000 anthems (songs for choirs), 12 cantatas (vocal pieces with instruments), and 28 operettas (short, light operas).

Early Life and Musical Talent

Carrie Belle Wilson was born in Oxford, Ohio, on July 28, 1858. She was the oldest child of David and Allie Wilson. Her father was a songwriter and music teacher, and her mother was also a musician. Music was definitely in her family!

Even during the American Civil War in the early 1860s, Carrie was busy studying music with her father. She was a musical genius from a very young age. When she was just seven, she sang for a group of musicians in Millville, Ohio. People who knew her said she was also a brilliant pianist and could play along with others perfectly, even when she was a young girl.

In 1872, when Carrie was about 14, her family moved to Paris, Illinois. Her father started the Paris Musical Institute there. Just three years later, at age 16, Carrie published her first song. This was the start of many, many compositions she would write. By 1876, she was already the organist and choir director at the Paris Presbyterian Church.

Family and Music Career

On July 21, 1880, Carrie Belle Wilson married Allyn G. Adams, who was a playwright. In 1882, they moved to Terre Haute, Indiana. Their son, Stanley, was born on October 18, 1887.

From 1887 to 1896, Carrie was a music professor at the Indiana State Normal School, which is now Indiana State University. She even led the music department there! She also conducted several musical groups, including The Choral, the Rose Polytechnic Glee and Treble Clef clubs, and The Terre Haute Oratorio Society.

In 1893, she published a musical play called "The National Flower." By the time she left the university three years later, she had already written 12 cantatas, 4,000 anthems, and 28 operettas. Her musical output was truly amazing!

In 1920, after her husband retired, they moved to Portland, Oregon. They wanted to be closer to their son, Stanley. Her husband passed away in 1936, after 16 years in Portland. Carrie continued to be very active in music. She played the pipe organ for the First Congregational Church (Portland, Oregon). She also became an editor for The Choir Herald magazine. She kept writing music even into her early 80s!

A magazine called Time wrote about her in 1936. It said that Mrs. Adams "sent off to her publishers four new anthems, baked a jelly cake, [and] celebrated her 77th birthday." One of her last works was a cantata called "The Easter Triumph." It was finished in 1940 but published after she passed away.

Later Years and Legacy

In late 1940, Carrie Belle (Wilson) Adams became ill with a heart condition. She was admitted to a hospital in Portland, Oregon. She stayed there for several weeks and passed away on December 15, 1940, at the age of 81.

Her longtime publisher, Lorenz Publishing Co., shared an amazing fact with The Oregonian newspaper. They said that at the time of her death, Carrie Adams's songs were being performed by about 300,000 choir singers every Sunday! This shows how popular and important her music was.

Her funeral was held on December 18, 1940. She was survived by her brother, Charles E. Wilson, and sister, Merle Wilson, who lived in Portland. She also had a daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Sadly, her son, Stanley, had passed away six months before her.

Carrie Belle (Wilson) Adams left behind an incredible legacy of music. She inspired many and showed that women could achieve great things in the world of classical music.

Some of Carrie Belle Adams's Works

Carrie Belle Adams wrote thousands of musical pieces. Here are just a few examples of her many published works:

• "The National Flower" (a cantata), 1893.
• "Easter Praise" (a cantata), 1908.
• "Jesus, Thou Source of Calm Repose," 1906.
• "The Heavens declare," 1906.
• "A Tale of a Hat," 1913.
• "The Harbor of Home: a Mother's Day exercise," 1915.
• "Under the Stars and Stripes" (an operetta), 1917.
• "The Christmas Adoration: a Christmas cantata," 1920.
• "The Resurrection Story" (a cantata), 1923.
• "Spring cheer: Children's day service," 1937.

Many of her songs were also published in hymnals and collections for churches and Sunday schools, even after her death.