Henrietta Myers facts for kids
Henrietta Crawley Myers (born November 10, 1878 – died March 25, 1968) was a talented singer with a deep voice (called a contralto). She was also a choral director, which means she led groups of singers. She is most famous for leading the Fisk Jubilee Singers in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Her Early Life
Henrietta Crawley was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the oldest of ten children. She went to public schools in Nashville and later studied at Fisk University. Her singing career with the Fisk Jubilee Singers began when she was guided by John W. Work II.
Leading the Jubilee Singers
In 1906, Henrietta married The Reverend James A. Myers. She helped her husband, who was then the director of the Jubilee Singers. They toured Europe, almost 40 years after the original Singers had amazed people around the world.
After her husband passed away in 1928, Mrs. Myers spent her life sharing the amazing American music of the Jubilee Singers with the world. She always used her married name, Mrs. James A. Myers, in all their programs and news. This was important to her because it showed respect for her important role and her work. Most people, except for her close friends and family, didn't even know her first name.
Famous Fans and World Tours
Many famous people loved the Fisk Jubilee Singers when Mrs. Myers was leading them. Maurice Ravel, a famous French composer, was so impressed that he gave them a photo signed, "Homage to Perfection." This means he was giving a tribute to their perfect performances.
Other famous people who really loved the Singers' shows included Marie Curie, George Bernard Shaw, King George V of Great Britain, Queen Mary of Great Britain, Madame Eva Gauthier, and former Secretary of State Cordell Hull.
With help from the U.S. government (the State Department), Mrs. Myers and the Jubilee Singers traveled widely. They performed all over Europe, Asia, and South America.
Mrs. Myers stopped working at Fisk University in 1947. But for twelve more years, she continued to lead smaller groups of singers (four, six, or eight singers) on tours around the world. In 1963, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, led by Matthew Kennedy, had their yearly concert in her honor. This was the last time she appeared in public at the Fisk Memorial Chapel.
Sharing Their Music (Recordings)
The Fisk Jubilee Singers, led by Mrs. James A. Myers, made several recordings so their beautiful music could be heard by more people. Some of their songs included:
- “Ol’ Man River”
- “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”
- “Good News”
- “I Want Two Wings”
- “Rock in Jerusalem”
- “Climbing Up the Mountain”
- “Oh, What a Beautiful City”
- “Little Tommy Went A-Fishing”
- “Psalm CXXI”
They also performed on a radio show called Magnolia Blossoms in 1940.
