Carrie Belle Raymond

Carrie Belle Raymond portrait Carrie Belle Raymond Studio Portrait

Carrie Isabelle Raymond began her career at the University of Nebraska as a member of the music faculty. She took the position of Director of the University Chorus and director of vocal ensemble in 1894, at the request of Chancellor James Canfield.

Raymond acted as director until her death on October 3, 1927. Raymond's obituary in the Nebraska Alumnus states that "she had been a leader in musical circles, always interested and promoting interest in music of the highest type." (Alumnus 1927) The notice of her death in the Daily Nebraskan stated: “All who have had occasion to become acquainted with her ... testify to her qualities as a musician and as a woman of wonderful personality.” (Daily Nebraskan, 1927)

Raymond Hall, 540 North 16 Street, in Lincoln, Nebraska, is named after Raymond. The Board of Regents voted in support of the name on April 30, 1932. The residence hall for women opened in October 1932.

Active in the First Congregational Church, Raymond served as organist and choir director for the church for almost 40 years. (Alumnus 1955) “In the year 1886 what was then the new pipe organ of the Congressional church was opened with some ceremony in an organ recital by W.T. Tabor of Boston and Omaha, and by its present organist Mrs. P.V. M. Raymond.” (Randolph, 1897)

For her service to the local community and the state of Nebraska Raymond received the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln Distinguished Service medal in 1923. The Kiwanis program highlighted one of her many accomplishments. "Among the distinguished orchestras which have been brought to Lincoln are the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra of New York City, under the leadership of Walter Damrosch. These great organizations have furnished orchestral programs and supplied the background for the student choruses which have been trained and directed by Mrs. Raymond." (Kiwanis 1923). Additionally, she participated in the Altrusa Club, the International Musicians' Association, Kappa Delta, and Matinee Musicale. (Alumnus 1927)

 

RESOURCES:

  1. "Deaths," Nebraska Alumnus, October 1927
  2. Carrie B. Raymond Called by Death,” The Daily Nebraskan (Lincoln, Neb.), 04 Oct. 1927. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1927-10-04/ed-1/seq-1/>
  3. Randolph, John, “Musical Mention,” The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.), 06 Feb. 1897. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn99066033/1897-02-06/ed-1/seq-4/>
  4. Randolph, John, “Musical Mention,” The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.), 06 Feb. 1897. Nebraska Newspapers. Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. <http://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn99066033/1897-02-06/ed-1/seq-4/>
  5. "Mrs. Carrie B. Raymond An Appreciation," The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln Distinguished Service Program, Lincoln, Nebraska, December 14, 1923, Archives & Special Collections
  6. "Deaths," Nebraska Alumnus, October 1927
  7.  "Carrie B. Raymond Called by Death," Evening State Journal (Lincoln, NE), Oct. 3, 1927
  8. University Communications, "Raymonds Dedication helped forge importance of music on campus," March 8, 2021. < https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/raymonds-dedication-helped-forge-importance-of-music-on-campus/>
Carrie Belle Raymond