Society For Earlier American Music (Bulletin Board)

Survey of Earlier American Music (SEAM)

Bulletin Board

Let's Celebrate American Music From The Past

Are you a musician, composer, songwriter, musicologist, teacher, student, historian, music collector, or a listener interested in music from America's past?

Then consider supporting this online site known as the
Survey of Earlier American Music (or SEAM)

The word "earlier" doesn't mean exclusively from the distant past.

The emphasis is on the early music from the 18th and 19th centuries, but also worthwhile music from the 20th century which needs to be preserved and promoted.
Just like the pieces of material in a patchwork quilt sewn together (thus the abbreviation "SEAM"), this Society seeks to preserve music from America's past by stitching together musical threads of all kinds, waiting to be discovered and performed again.
It's a sad fact that much of America's earlier classical, folk and popular music is not performed enough and needs more promotion.
It is hoped that SEAM can help resolve that neglect by sharing information on this site.
The ultimate goal is preservation of earlier American music through concerts, online events, publications and recordings.
Any SEAM member may send in their announcements, comments or questions, subject to approval, to:
SEAM Bulletin Board

Publication Announcements

2020

Mutlimedia disc:
"The Humble Heart" - A Fifty Year Survey of Shaker Music
(PTME 1050)

2018-2019

Two new music publications about Shaker Music!

Book and CD:
"Gentle Words" - The Meaning and Message of Shaker Music

This multimedia publication was compiled and edited by Roger Lee Hall, one of the foremost authorities on Shaker music.
He has researched, edited, arranged and performed Shaker music for over four decades. From his many years of activity, he has compiled this extensive collection titled,

"More Love" - A Recorded Shaker Legacy (PTME 1060)

Included on the disc are over 100 audio examples, including his appearances on Public Radio and his in-person interviews with Shaker singers at Canterbury, New Hampshire and Sabbathday Lake, Maine. In addition, his interview with American composer, Aaron Copland, who arranged "Simple Gifts" and helped to make it known throughout the world.

To order your copy of this important collection of Shaker music material only available here on a multimedia computer disc, make a donation of $25 or more to help support Shaker music preservation -- click here

These articles and publications have been announced in
the Bulletin of this American music group for 2018-19:

+Volume XLV, No. 2 (Spring 2019) --

Aaron Copland's "Simple Gifts" in Appalachian Spring
To read this article by Roger Lee Hall -- click here

+Volume XLIV, No. 3 (Fall 2018) --

The 7th revised edition of a popular film music guide is now available from PineTree Press. Titled “As Time Goes By”: A Guide to Film Music: Songs and Scores, it was written and edited by film music historian and critic Roger L. Hall, who has been Managing Editor of Film Music Review, a web e-zine, for 20 years. This latest edition includes over 350 files including the complete book, CD and book reviews from Film Music Review, and a list of the Sammy Film Music Awards, which have been selected each year since 1988 by Hall. The book discusses how music was incorporated in classic films from the past, and how music can be used in a short film, based on Hall’s video production “The Musical Telephone.” Also on the computer disc are bonus audio selections of film songs and film score themes from several radio programs, plus two video programs from cable television featuring Hall as guest. This DVD-R contains information ideal for classroom study or for individual research. More information about this disc may be found here.

+Volume XLIV, No. 1 (Winter 2018) --

The words and music of the Shakers contains some of the most beautiful and meaningful messages from America’s past. Their religious folk music was composed by both women (Sisters) and men (Brethren) from the 18th to 20th centuries. Shaker music has become increasingly popular in our time and has been performed and recorded by non-Shaker musicians, especially their best-known song, “Simple Gifts” (first line: “Tis the gift to be simple”). Roger Lee Hall, Director of the Center for American Music Preservation (CAMP), has studied and performed music of the Shakers for over forty years. Now he has prepared a new collection titled “Invitation to Zion”: A Shaker Music Guide (2017). Available on a multimedia computer disc, it includes the Guide to Shaker Music, published by PineTree Press, which includes a supplement about one of the most prominent Shaker composers, Issachar Bates (1758–1837). Also on the disc are arrangements of Shaker tunes, and several concert videos of Shaker music arrangements performed by The Canterbury Singers in New Hampshire, directed by Kathryn Southworth.
To read about this resource disc with audio and video bonus features -- click here

2017

"DEDICATION"
Singing in Stoughton, 1762-1992
by Roger Lee Hall

See the latest AMRC CD releases of historical music,
including "Five American Women Composers"
(AMRC 0040) -- click here

2016

Five new releases
co-produced with American Music Recordings Collection(AMRC):

AMRC 0027: A Dedication Concert (1981)

AMRC 0029: Song of Our Saviour, Op. 16 (1881)
Cantata by Edwin Arthur Jones for Soloists, Chorus, Organ and Orchestra

AMRC 0030: Easter Concert, Op. 28 (1890) -
An Oratorio by Edwin Arhtur Jones

AMRC 0031: "Old Hundred" - Pilgrims, Puritans and Pirates

AMRC 0032: "The Liberty Song" - From the American Revolution to World War I

2015

American Song History Survey 200

List of representative American songs
covering 200 years

Click here

"Give Good Gifts"
Shaker Music in the 20th Century
by Roger Lee Hall

Earlier American Composers -
Survey in Sound, 1770-1920

Music From the Eras of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

2014

"Millennial Praise"
Singing New Englanders:
From The Pilgrims to The Shakers

"The Star-Spangled Banner"
Early Songs of Protest and Patriotism

A multi-media DVD with the complete 120 page book,
plus image gallery,
music examples, and video clips

"Simple Gifts": Great American Folk Song

2013

CD: "Celestial Praises" - A Celebration of Shaker Spirituals

For the centennial birthday of this celebrated lyricist (1913-1993)

CD: It's Magic - A One Hundredth Birthday Celebration of Sammy Cahn

2012

There are two CDs available with Christmas carols, songs and hymns
from Colonial America to the present day and titled,

Christmas Music in America

Christmas Music From New England

A tuneful welcome to new SEAM member, Mark Newberry (Creative Consultant) from the UK.

Mark is a member of the Performing Right Society (GB) and the Guild of International Songwriters and Composers, as well as the European Country Music Association. He is especially interested in vintage American popular songs and sent this list of a few song favorites:

"Where Or When" - Sinatra has a marvelous version that never made it on to his better known 1950s LPs but featured later in "The Rare Sinatra."

"The Way You Look Tonight" - another great tune with Dorothy Fields on top form to match.

"Time After Time" - a personal "signature tune" that a piano player I knew used to play every time I visited my local pub bar.

"Here's That Rainy Day" - like "Time After Time", it used to get played
for me.

"Hurt" - the Johnny Cash version...the elder statesman of Americana still on top form in his final years.

"Give My Love To Rose" by the same great singer/songwriter/storyteller.

Mark has also written the lyrics to "Christmas Snow," which has been receiving airplay online at this link: www.ukcountryradio.com

"Angel of Peace"
The Boston Peace Jubilees

"GLORY, HALLELUJAH"
Songs and Hymns of the Civil War Era
(AMRC 0015)

2011

Now available is a Deluxe DVD-R with 8 books and musical collections and over 200 music tracks.
Read more at:
Preserving Our Musical Past (POMP)

A new commemorative DVD with documents, two audio albums and a video
about the life and music of a Stoughton composer is now available at this link:
New England Composer Series: Edwin Arthur Jones (1853-1911)

2010

Roger Lee Hall, SEAM Director:
I would like to welcome SEAM members to this new Bulletin Board and I hope that it will grow.
This first listing will highlight information about a few new SEAM members:

David Harris (Creative Consultant):
He is a choral conductor and composer with a special interest in American music from the past. He is Music Director of the Columbia University Glee Club and other ensembles and is looking for ideas about possible Victorian era choral music by American composers.

Steven Young (Educational Advisor):
Dr. Young is Director of Choral Activities at Bridgewater State University and an organist who has a new CD available of organ music recorded at the famous Methuen Memorial Music Hall. The CD is titled, Henry Morton Dunham: A Boston Classic.
Read more about it at: CD Universe

Essential American Recordings

2009 marked the the 250th anniversary of the FIRST SONG WRITTEN BY AN AMERICAN. To honor this anniversary, a survey of recommended recordings has been compiled listing essential American music.

The recordings include a cross section of music, including 18th century psalm tunes, 19th century patriotic songs; 20th century classical, jazz, stage & screen, and popular songs.

To read this survey, go to:

Essential American Recordings Survey