Kerr, Louise Lincoln, 1892-1977

Musician and composer.

Myrtie Louise Lincoln was born to John Cromwell Lincoln (1866-1959) and Myrtle (Humphrey) Lincoln (1866-1913) in Cleveland, Ohio on April 24, 1892. John Lincoln was an engineer, businessman, and entrepreneur who came to Arizona in the early 1930s, settled in the Phoenix area, and was active in mining and real estate. He applied much of the wealth he accumulated from these very successful ventures to community improvement and philanthropic activities.

Louise Lincoln grew up in Cleveland and finished high school there. In 1910, she went to New York City to attend Barnard College. Here, she studied music composition with two prominent Columbia University professors and continued playing the violin, which she had begun studying at the age of seven. She returned to Cleveland in about 1913 to play the violin in the Cleveland Orchestra. She married Peter Kerr (1897-1939) and the couple returned to the East coast. They had eight children: Tamar, Virginia (1923-1936), Anna Louise (1924-1941), Louise, Rose W., Peter, William, and Preston. Kerr and her family moved to Arizona in 1936, partly for the health of one of the daughters. They initially settled in Phoenix but later lived in Flagstaff and Los Angeles, California. Louise Kerr returned to Arizona in 1946 or 1947 and split her time between Phoenix and her ranch near Cottonwood.

Kerr's home on Central Avenue in Phoenix became a focal point for local musicians, both student and professional, who gathered for long evenings of chamber music. Phoenix did not have a professional musical organization at the time, so these gatherings provided the musicians with important opportunities. This musical activity was supported by an extensive library of music and Kerr not infrequently provided financial assistance as well. In the mid-1950s, Kerr purchased land in what is now North Scottsdale and began plans to fulfill a lifelong dream of having her own music studio. By 1959, a house and studio were completed, both built of adobe. These structures contributed to the growth of musical activity of the Valley.

In 1960, Louise Kerr co-founded the Phoenix Chamber Music Society. For several years the programs, presented by chamber groups of international renown, were given in the Kerr Studio. She also helped to found the Arizona Cello Society and Monday Morning Musicale and was a charter violinist with the Phoenix Symphony. Her studio, an acoustically excellent structure, was in constant use for rehearsal, performance, and informal music making of all manner. Her financial support of this activity continued to be exceptionally generous.

Kerr left her home and studio to Arizona State University in her will and the structures are now known as the Louise Lincoln Kerr Cultural Center. She also started a scholarship fund for ASU composition majors and left her vast library of music scores and original compositions to the University Library. Louise Kerr died at her ranch in Cottonwood in December of 1977 at the age of 85.