Survey of Earlier American Music (SEAM)

Helping to preserve American music from the past!

"My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free"
Francis Hopkinson, 1759
(the earliest known American classical song) -- click here

A Few Notes of Introduction

This is an Online survey intended to help distribute information about earlier American music, especially vocal music. The emphasis is on music from the 18th to 20th centuries, from 1770 to 1995.

It is not generally known that efforts were made early on to preserve American music.

For example, there were attempts made during the 19th century to preserve New England choral music from the 18th century by such organizations as the Billings and Holden Society but their efforts did not last very long.

A more successful attempt to preserve choral music from earlier America was made by the Stoughton Musical Society, which compiled this large music collection (or tunebook) --

The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music (1878/reprint, 1980)

It is time to do more to help preserve and restore music from earlier America, before it is lost or forgotten.

Just like the pieces of material in a patchwork quilt (thus the abbreviation "SEAM"), this site seeks to preserve music from America's past by stitching together musical threads to make them available again in a tableau of sound.  

It's a sad fact that a great deal of America's earlier classical and popular music is seldom performed or recorded today.

It is hoped that SEAM can make more people aware of worthwhile music from the past through information here.

The ultimate goal is preservation of this music through recordings and music collections.

See the CDs available at:

American Music Recordings Collection (AMRC)

Also, the research publications at:

American Music Research Editions (AMRE)

If funds are made available, more research and publications will be available for further research and study.

SEAM Needs You!

If you would like to participate in spreading this information, or would like to participate by providing some information to this page, send your comments to -- SEAM

Please consider oredering this special limited edition AMRC CD of American piano music ---

Your order by credit card
is payable to PineTree Productions,
through safe and secure PayPal.

 

 

 

 

 

After you have made your donation,
and to receive your CD,
send your mailing address to

American Places CD

 

 

See the announcements on the SEAM Bulletin Board.

Let's make music from America's musical past come alive again!!

With tuneful wishes,

Roger Lee Hall
Director, Center for American Music preservation (CAMP)

If you have any questions, write to SEAM

 

A SEAM 2 CD Set!

America's Singing History (ASH)
with 50 songs in two volumes
AMRC 0049-50

Read the announcements on the

SEAM Bulletin Board

American Music Recordings Collection (AMRC)

 

 

Related Links

Father Kemp and His Old Folks Concerts

 

American Music Recordings Collection (AMRC)

American Music Recordings Series (AMRS)

American Music Resource Editions (AMRE)

American Music Timeline

The Boston Peace Jubilees

Center for American Music Preservation (CAMP)

Essential American Recordings Survey (EARS)

New England Music Heritage (NEMH)

Singing Stoughton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you interested in an American music program for your historical society, museum, college, or other group?

For a list of available titles by Roger Hall, click on this link for -- Lectures and Workshops

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a related website and would like to be listed as an Associate Web Link,
send all pertinent information to:

SEAM listing

 

Associate Links:

 

International Center for American Music

The International Center for American Music (ICAMUS) promotes knowledge and appreciation of American music and music making in the US. The Center maintains an inclusive orientation towards musical life in the United States, from its beginning to contemporary time. Significant attention is devoted to Early American Music. The Organization focuses on the study of musical sources, and on the unity and integration of research, teaching, performance and experimentation.

Society for American Music (Resources)

The mission of the Society for American Music is to stimulate the appreciation, performance, creation and study of American musics of all eras and in all their diversity, including the full range of activities and institutions associated with these musics throughout the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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