![]() |
||||||||||
.
The Angels are sounding on their golden trumpets They sound and resound from the heavenly shore. Inviting all nations, all kindred and people To come, come to Zion and wander no more. -- Shaker hymn by Matilda A. Butler, 1846 This hymn, titled "Invitation to Souls," is included in the Music Supplement of this book:
Most of the information on these pages
was compiled by Roger Hall,
a singer, composer and musicologist
who has studied Shaker music
for over thirty-five years. He
has edited over two hundred Shaker tunes, including
first editions of "Gentle Words" and "Love is Little,"
and a new variant edition of "Simple Gifts,"
which he identified as a dancing song.
The music of the Shakers (officially known as The United Society of Believers) contains some of the most beautiful religious folk melodies from America's past. Yet much of their music remains unknown today to the general public, For over 150 years, from the 1780s to 1950s, The last remaining Shaker communitiy is located at Sabbathday Lake, Maine. One of the favorite Shaker songs has been "Come Life, Shaker Life"
The above illustration shows the Shaker dance song written in a music notation This quick dance song was composed by Elder Issachar Bates (1758-1837). "Come Life, Shaker Life" has become one of the most popular Shaker songs Read more about this Shaker song in Roger Hall's informative book titled, "Come Life, Shaker Life" - The Life and Music of Elder Issachar Bates To inquire about ordering the book, Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of incorrect information spread around The most common error is classifying all Shaker music as There are actually three broad categories of Shaker music: Hymns, Anthems, and Songs Because this is religious folk music, Shaker Spirituals
One of the most important Shaker spirituals
The world premiere recording of this hymn Lincoln and Liberty: Music from Abraham Lincoln's Era
Contrary to what many authors have written, For example these Shaker spirituals...
"Abiding Care" by Eldress Dorothy Durgin
"Blended Together" by Elder Joseph Holden
The most important CD releases are those on Rounder Records
Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers Many of the harmonized hymns performed on this CD set are from the .
If are looking for Shaker spirituals to perform in a concert program
Coming Soon! A new booklet about Shaker music in the 20th century Watch for the announcement of this booklet here.
Read about the evolution of Shaker music from the time
A Selection of Shaker Music on CDs and DVDs
For the Love of Zion
NEW RELEASE! Gentle Words: A Shaker Music Sampler
I Am Filled With Heavenly Treasures
The River of Love
Love is Little:
DVD: Shaker Marches and Dances
DVD+R: The Shakers On Television
Shaker Music Collections and Songbooks
How Happy Are They:
Only a few copies remain of the Love is Little:
"Simple Gifts" (first line: 'Tis the gift to be simple)
A new piece by film composer John Williams, titled, "Air and Simple Gifts," was premiered during the Inauguration Day ceremonies for U.S. President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009. Find out more about the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts,"
Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts"
There are a series of colorful broadsides now available, These are the current Shaker song titles in the series:
No. 1: "Simple Gifts"
No. 4: "We Will All Go Home With You"
Aaron Copland Meets The Shakers "Blended Together" -- Interviews with the Shakers
Attention film makers and documentary producers! A story treatment for a possible film about the early years of Write to: Shaker Story
Read a review of the play by Arlene Hutton about nine Shaker sisters
Rare copies of THE SHAKER MESSENGER magazine available at
Aaron Copland Meets The Shakers -- photo and description of their first meeting. American Music Recordings Collection -- interviews and Shaker music available on CD and DVD. Books and Articles -- relating to Shaker music. Boston Camerata's CD: Simple Gifts - Shaker Chants and Spirituals - notes for the CD New England Songster -- music collection with a few Shaker songs. Shaker and Non-Shaker Tunes -- incorrectly identified Shaker tunes and sources. Shaker Lectures and Workshops -- programs about Shaker music and folk art. Shaker Music News -- announcements of publications, recordings and other information. Simple Gifts of Shaker Music -- list of recommended CDs at Amazon.com Wikipedia -- article about the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts."
|
Shaker Music Collections Recommended Books
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||