Carl Barus

(Oct. 12, 1823-June 7-1908). Born in Prussian Silesia, Barus studied organ and piano in Brieg and Breslau. In 1849 he immigrated to the United States because of political turmoil in Europe. Settling in Cincinnati after a brief attempt at farming in Saginaw, Michigan, Barus began a notable musical career, playing the organ at several prominent churches, conducting the Philharmonic Society and Carl Barus orchestras, and directing male choruses of several German singing societies.

His prowess as a choral director earned him an invitation to conduct the 1854 Saengerfest concerts of the North American Saengerbund (NASB), a federation of German singing societies founded in Cincinnati in 1849. Gaining a national reputation at this event, Barus served as the musical director of four more NASB Saengerfests, including one held in Indianapolis in 1867. From 1858 to 1860, and again in 1868, Barus also conducted the Saengerfest concerts of the Indiana Saengerbund, a sub-federation of the NASB.

In 1882 Barus came to Indianapolis at the invitation of the Maennerchor. Under his direction the society enjoyed a period of great prosperity and musicality—staging operas and operettas, expanding its concert series, and operating a singing school for the children of its members.

He exerted a positive influence on the musical culture of the community as well by conducting the festival chorus at the opening of Tomlinson Hall in 1886 and instituting the Indianapolis May Music Festivals, events that for ten years brought many renowned artists to the city and attracted national attention. He was the great-grandfather of novelist Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

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