Stoughton Square in 1910
Aerial view of Stoughton Center in 1970s
Singing Stoughton
With a Timeline of Significant Music Events,
including the oldest choral society in America,
and
music
from Old Stoughton
(Canton, Sharon and Stoughton)
Music preservationist and composer, Roger Lee Hall, presented
a special program: "Music in Early Canton" at the Canton Historical Society
on July 11, 2010.
His program featured music by local composers,
plus patriotic songs from a CD recorded in Canton titled, "A Toast - Music of George Washington's Time," including these rare patriotic songs:
Father and I Went Down To Camp
(Yankee Doodle)
Ode To President George Washington
New Release!
More information about Singing Stoughton is available on a new DVD
with music examples and a one hour video: "A Stoughton Musicfest."
For more details, go to
A New England Music Miscellany
A Few Notes of Concern...
- For many years there has been a Minefield of Misinformation spread around about Stoughton's two musical societies and their singing traditions.
- Many American music scholars continue to reprint the same incorrect information. These music scholars state the myth that 18th psalmody (as it was called) "disappeared" from New England during the 19th century. Not true! Certainly not in Stoughton and some other nearby towns. More research needs to be done by those scholars who wish to get the facts straight. Just to give one example, there are 27 tunes by William Billings in The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music (1878) and this massive 19th century music collection is not even listed in Catalog of the Musical Works of William Billings, compiled by Karl Kroeger. Why not?
- It is the intent of this Stoughton music page to correct these errors and myths and provide as much accurate information as possible.
- That includes making corrections to such books as Daniel T.V. Huntoon's, History of the Town Canton and John E. Flynn's, Beyond the Blew-Hills: A Brief History of the Town of Stoughton Massachusetts. Both books contain some errors related to local music or musicians and are corrected in the Music Timeline given below.
- Unfortunately, there seems to be little interest among historians and musicologists in reporting the correct information about the many distinctions of the composers and singers from Old Stoughton. Please refer to the "Facts and Firsts" list which follows.
If you wish to inquire about any of the information on this page,
send your inquiry to:
Singing Stoughton
Ten Music Facts and Firsts
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Timeline of Music
(1760 to 1990)
Compiled by Roger Lee Hall
The 18th Century
This old photo shows the site of Robert Capen's house,
at the corner of Park and Seaver Streets in Stoughton, Massachusetts. It was in this Capen house where famed Boston composer
and singing-master, William Billings,
was reported to have taught his famous singing school in January of 1774. In the picture are seated in fron of this house are Stoughton violinist and composer, Edwin Arthur Jones, and his musician brother, Henry Jones, with their wives seated next to them.
William Billings was the best known New England composer in 18th century America,
and his best known tune
was his war ballad, CHESTER, He taught a singing school in Stoughton in 1774. Twelve years later,
twenty-five men met to formally organize the Stoughton Musical Society on November 7, 1786.
This group still survives and is now the oldest choral society in the United States.
The Town of Stoughton, located approximately 20 miles south of Boston,
is known as "The Birthplace of American Liberty."
On August 16, 1774 Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Joseph Warren met at Doty's Tavern to begin writing the Suffolk Resolves. The final meeting was held at Vose's Tavern in nearby Milton. John E. Flynn in his book, Beyond the Blew-Hills, claimed that this document "electrified a discordant Congress
in Philadelphia with the boldest statement ever made
on the continent."
Flynn also states in his book that the Stoughton Musical Society is the "Oldest Choral Society in the world." That is false since there were musical societies in Europe long before the Stoughton Musical Society began.
Key Events in the 18th Century
1760: "Elijah Dunbar learned while going through Harvard College, in addition to his Greek and Latin, the art of reading music. Upon his graduation in 1760, he returned to his native town [of Stoughton] and at once organized a singing-school and gave to his neighbors the benefit of his knowledge." -- Daniel T.V. Huntoon.
[No evidence of a singing-school during this year has yet been located.]
1762-1763: First known singing meetings listed in Elijah Dunbar's diary but no musical organization had been formed at that time.
[It has been claimed by John E. Flynn that the Old Stoughton Musical Society began in 1762 and Capt. Samuel Talbot was its first President. That is all incorrect. See the sections on the Stoughton Musical Society and the Musical Society in Stoughton for the correct information.]
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1770: The first music collection (called a "tunebook") by a New England composer was published in Boston under the title: The New-England Psalm-Singer, with music by William Billings (1746-1800). One of his tunes in this music book was titled STOUGHTON. It was printed without any text and words were added and it was premiered during the Bicentennial Season of the Old Stoughton Musical Society in 1986.
1774: Singing school taught by singing-school composer William Billings. One of the pupils in his singing school was Lucy Swan, who Billings married later that same year and they returned to Boston, where they eventually had 9 children. In Huntoon's book, he claims that William Billings the composer had previously married a Mary Leonard in 1764 but that is incorrect. There was another man with the name of William Billings who lived in Canton and he married Mary Leonard.
Most descriptions of early singing schools fail to provide a list of pupils. But the one held in Stoughton does provide all the names. It is believed to be the only known New England singing school with all the pupils listed. In previous books and articles, they have stated that there were 48 pupils in this singing school. There were actually 49 pupils in the Billings singing school, consisting of 18 young males and 31 young females in their late teens or early 20's. One of the pupils, Jacob French, later became a composer himself. The names of all the pupils in the famous 1774 singing school are listed in the pamphlet, Music in Stoughton: A Brief Survey. This Billings singing school was re-created in 1990 at "A Stoughton Musicfest".
1783:
Town of Sharon incorporated (formerly part of the Town of Stoughton). One of the best known early musicians who lived in this town was Edward French, who later served as 3rd President of the Stoughton Musical Society from 1818 to 1824.
1786: Oldest musical society in America founded when 25 men were listed as members of The Stoughton Musical Society [TSMS]. Contrary to widespread belief, neither Supply Belcher nor William Billings had any direct connection to the organization of this musical society. At this time it was exclusively a men's chorus. There were nine "Rules and Regulations" for membership and the admission to the Society was 2 shillings.
The
first President was Elijah Dunbar (1786-1808) from Canton. Also this year, former town resident, Jacob French, composed his best known piece, an anthem titled "The Heavenly Vision."
1787: On October 8, the Stoughton Musical Society's first Constitution was approved. It was written just a few weeks after the U.S. Constitution had been written in Philadelphia. A copy of this constitution is available upon request.
1790: What is reported to be the first organized singing contest held in America, between the First Parish Church Choir from Dorchester, Massachusetts and The Stoughton Musical Society Chorus of 20 "selected male voices." Here is what was written about this singing contest in the Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of 1878:
Confident in their ability and ready to test it, they challenged the Stoughton singers to a trial. The challenge was accepted; a meeting arranged. It was held in a large hall in Dorchester, and, says a narrator, who was one of the singers, 'The hall was filled with prominent singers, far and near, including many notables from Boston.' The Dorchester contestants had a 'bass viol' and female singers. The Stoughton party consisted of twenty selected male voices, without instruments, and led by Squire Elijah Dunbar, the president of the Stoughton Musical Society, who was not only one of the most accomplished singers of his day, but distinguished for his commanding presence and dignified bearing. The Dorchester party sang an anthem, recently published, executing it with grace and precision. The Stoughton party followed with Jacob French's new anthem, 'The Heavenly Vision,' rendered without book or notes. The applause was unbounded as they took their seats. Again the Dorchester choir sang; then, to close the tournament, the Stoughton choir sang, without book, Handel's grand 'Hallelujah Chorus,' recently published in the country by Isaiah Thomas. The Dorchester singers acknowledged defeat... So endeth this incident of the olden time.
To perform Handel's mighty "Hallelujah Chorus" from memory and without any instrumental accompaniment was an incredible achievement for that time, as it would be today!
1794: The one and only tunebook published by former Canton resident Supply Belcher titled, The Harmony of Maine, was published in Boston. The tunebook contains 57 psalm and hymn tunes and 6 anthems. Among the patriotic tunes are: "Heroism" and "Jubilant" and an "Anthem of Praise" based on Psalm 100.
1797: Town of Canton incorporated on February 23 (formerly part of the Town of Stoughton). Canton resident Elijah Dunbar (1740-1814) was the First President of the Stoughton Musical Society, serving from 1786 to 1808.
1799: Early Christmas carol composed by Edward French (1761-1845), titled NEW BETHLEHEM. French was born in Canton but later moved to Sharon and would later serve as the Third President of the Stoughton Musical Society from 1818-1824.
The Two Musical Societies
Please Note:
Past claims by authors and musicologists
about these two Stoughton musical societies
contain frequent errors!!
Anyone interested in local history or music in early America
should get their facts straight.
These are the facts...
Old Stoughton Musical Society (OSMS)
This is currently the oldest surviving choral society in the United States of America, organized on November 7, 1786. It was originally known as The Stoughton Musical Society and consisted of 25 male singers. Women were not allowed to join at that time due to meetings held at local homes and taverns with the serving of alcohol.
The Stoughton Musical Society also has the oldest constitution of any musical organization in America, written in October of 1787, just a few weeks after the U.S. Constitution.
This musical society added the prefix "Old" when they were officially incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1908 to designate that it originally included the towns of Canton, Sharon and Avon. They accepted singers from all the surrounding Massachusetts towns, including Avon, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Randolph, Sharon and elsewhere.
Two hundred years later to the date, on November 7, 1986, the Old Stoughton Musical Society bicentennial concert was held at Stoughton High School. The same major choral work was performed as at the Centennial Concert in 1886 -- Franz Joseph Haydn's The Creation. Also performed was a tune titled "Stoughton" by William Billings, edited by Roger Hall. In 1994, thanks to the efforts of Roger, this choral society was listed in The Guinnes Book of Records, also this information was listed in the annual Chase's Calendar of Events:
"OLD STOUGHTON MUSICAL SOCIETY: ANNIVERSARY. Nov. 7, 1786.
Founded at Stoughton, MA, the Stoughton Musical Society
is the oldest choral society in the United States."
For additional information, see the article on the
Stoughton Musical Society
The Musical Society in Stoughton (MSIS)
This second choral society was organized on January 1, 1802. The only difference was that only Stoughton residents could join this group. Many of them also belonged to the Stoughton Musical Society.
For many years MSIS officers claimed to have been founded in 1762,
but there are no documents to support that claim.
The first president of the Musical Society in Stoughton was Capt. Samuel Talbot, who was also the President (1808-1818) of the Stoughton Musical Society.
One of their later officers, Frank Reynolds, had the original signboard painted over with the incorrect date of 1762 substituted for the date of 1802, bringing great dishonor to him for tampering with an artifact of historical importance. But this deed didn't go unpunished.
After years of incorrectly claiming they were the "oldest choral society in America," the Musical Society in Stoughton continued to lose members until they finally dwindled down to only
a few and were disbanded in 1982, with their remaining assets given to the Old Stoughton Musical Society.
There are still traces of the wrong date for the Musical Society in Stoughton, shown at Stoughton History, which may be "set in stone" at Provincetown, Massachusetts, but is still incorrect when it states the Musical Society in Stoughton began in 1762, instead of 1802.
Actually both musical societies had singers who were attending singing meetings in 1762 in Stoughton, but there was no musical organization established at that time.
Early Stoughton Composers
There were at least four composers born in 18th century Stoughton, and two of them Supply Belcher and Jacob French, became better known when they moved to other New England states.
Belcher became a prominent judge in Maine and French taught singing in Connecticut. Both produced music collections -- or "tunebooks," as they are now known.
Belcher published only one tunebook, The Harmony of Maine (Boston, 1794), whch may have tunes he composed while living in Canton, Massachusetts.
Jacob French published three tunesbooks: The New American Melody (1789); The Psalmodist's Companion (1793), and The Harmony of Harmony (1802).
These four Stoughton-born composers are:
Portrait of Supply Belcher
(From: A History of Farmington, Franklin County, Maine,
also Music in Early Canton)
A research article is available, written by Roger Lee Hall, and
titled,
"The Handel of Maine: The Musical Life of Supply Belcher"
For information how to order this artcle, write to:
Singing Stoughton
- Supply Belcher (born: Stoughton, 1751 / died: Farmington, Maine, 1836)
- Samuel Capen (born: Stoughton, 1745 /
died: Canton, Massachusetts, 1809)
- Edward French (born: Stoughton, 1761 /died: Sharon, Massachusetts, 1845)
- Jacob French (born: Stoughton, 1754 / died: Simsbury, Connecticut, 1817)
The 19th Century
During this century, Stoughton Musical Society concerts were given in numerous area towns, including Avon, Braintree, Brockton, Canton, Holbrook, North Easton, Randolph, Sharon, South Weymouth, Stoughton, and others.
Key Events in the 19th Century
1802: Second musical society founded on January 1 as: "The Musical Society in Stoughton" (MSIS). First President: Capt. Samuel Talbot.
1805: The Norfolk Harmony was published by Canton singer and composer,
Samuel Capen (1745-1809). His best known tune, THE DOVE, was later included in the Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection in 1878 [reprinted in 1980].
1822- 1832: Inventor and musician, James Amireaux Bazin (1798-1883) from Canton, made improvements on a free reed brass sliding pitch pipe [copy at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston], made a "revolving reed trumpet" in 1824, invented a mouth organ ( or harmonica) in 1831, and an instrument with tilting bellows known as an "elbow melodeon" in 1832.
1829: Their first tune book was published in Boston and titled, The Stoughton Collection of Church Music, with over 300 pages of music. It was reprinted several times.
1844: The Stoughton Musical Society consisted of men only until 1844, when women were invited to join, after the serving of alcohol during rehearsals had been abolished.
1853: James A. Bazin received an American Patent for "an Improvement in Reed Musical Instruments."
1872: E.A. Jones performs as a violinist in the orchestra of 1,500 musicians, led by the famous Viennese waltz composer, Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) at the famous
World's Peace Jubilee and International Music Festival in Boston.
1878: Second tune book published in Boston, The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music. It was reprinted with a new introduction and index of tunes by Roger Hall, and published by DaCapo Press in 1980. This was one of the largest collections of music by early American composers published in the 19th century, also including a few pieces by English composers (Calcott, Tans'ur, Stephenson) and choral arrangements of music by Haydn, Mozart, and Naumann.
Christmas Hymn: NEW BETHLEHEM (1799)
1879: Stoughton Musical Society invited to perform in a "Grand Concert" for the new Memorial Hall [later Town Hall] in Canton on December 2. Among the choral pieces performed were: "Majesty" by William Billings, "Victory" by Daniel Read, and several by Canton composers: "The Dove" by Samuel Capen and "New Bethlehem" by Edward French. [see 1979]
1881: Completion of the cantata, Song of Our Saviour, by Edwin Arthur Jones (1853-1911). It was originally titled The Nativity Hymn and received an honorable mention in a national music competition in Cincinnati in 1879, judged by one of America's best known conductors, Theodore Thomas. The cantata was apparently never performed during the lifetime of E.A. Jones and received its world premiere performance over one hundred years later in a Stoughton concert in May of 1992. An article about this world premiere performance appeared in The Boston Globe newspaper.
1886: Centennial observance of The Stoughton Musical Society on June 9, with Gov. George D. Robinson and Lt. Gov. Oliver Ames in attendance. The Centennial Celebration of the Stoughton Musical Society was held on June 9, 1886:
The program for the day:
Morning Exercises (10:00 a.m.)
1. Overture: The Magic Flute - Mozart
2. Hymn to the tune of "Old Hundred"
3. Prayer by Rev. E.H. Capen, D.D.,
President Tufts College.
4. Words of welcome by the President,
Winslow Battles.
5. Historical address by Hon. Samuel B. Noyes.
6. Centennial Hymn - written by Dexter Smith, Esq.
Evening Exercises (7:30 p.m.)
Oratorio: The Creation - Haydn
Miss Elene Buffington Kehew, soprano;
Mr. George J. Parker, tenor;
Mr. Clarence E. Hay, bass.
Orchestra of the Society, Mr. E.A. Jones,
leader,
Mr. H.L. West, accompanist.
Conductor:
Mr. Hiram Wilde,
Assistant Conductor: Mr. George N. Spear.
Tickets to Concert, 50 and 75 cents.
Admission to the morning exercises alone -- 25 cents
1887: First oratorio by a local composer, Easter Concert, by Edwin Arthur Jones, was performed on April 11 in Town Hall. The oratorio was published in a piano-vocal score by White & Smith in Boston in 1890.
1889: Benefit Concert "To the Sufferers by the Pennsylvania Flood" presented at Stoughton Town Hall on Friday evening, June 14, with recitations and music, including the popular Civil War song, "Vacant Chair." Tickets for this concert were 25 cents each "to contribute to the fund for the sufferers by the late Pennsylvania flood" -- now known as the Johnstown Flood, which happened on May 31, 1889, and was one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.
1893: In August of 1893, the Stoughton Musical Society was the only invited chorus to perform early American music at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago -- the setting for the best-selling book, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the the Fair That Changed America, by Erik Larson. The man mostly responsible for these concerts was Stoughton composer and violinist, Edwin Arthur Jones. Two concerts were given on August 14 and 15, with several thousand people in the audience, far more than attended the symphony concerts.
19th Century Stoughton Composers
- Alanson Belcher (born: 1810/died: Stoughton, 1900)
-
Edwin Arthur Jones (born: 1853/died: Stoughton, 1911)
The 20th Century
Forget New Kids on the Block and Motley Crue. On Thursday, about 75 residents listened to numbers like "Fly" a drinking song by Jacob French, and "Chester" a patriotic ballad by William Billings. Never heard of these artists? There's a good reason. Both of these men died before 1820. Nevertheless, French and Billings each contributed to the popular music of their day and took their turn among Stoughton's famous residents. Musicologist Roger Hall as always appreciated the music of these men, and shared his enthusiasm in a presentation at the library titled A Stoughton Musicfest.
-- The Brockton Enterprise, Friday, May 11, 1990
Harmony Revered:
Old Stoughton Singing vs. Sacred Harp Singing
by Roger Lee Hall
Two of the oldest amateur singing traditions of religious or harmony music in the U.S. are the Stoughton Musical Society in Massachusetts, and the Sacred Harp singing in the South, especially in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
Of these, Stoughton is the oldest, performing choral music consisting of plain tunes, fuging tunes, set pieces and anthems. Also, this music has been supplemented with performances of larger choral works, such as cantatas and oratorios -- both types composed by an unjustly forgotten 19th century Stoughton composer: Edwin Arthur Jones.
Not only did Stoughton have two musical societies but also there were two music collections published, the first in 1829 and the second one in 1878, which had tunes by Stoughton-born composers, such as Supply Belcher, Jacob French, and his brother, Edward French [his tune NEW BETHLEHEM is shown above].
In 1980, The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music (Ditson & Co., 1878), was reprinted with an Introduction and New Index by Roger Hall (New York: Da Capo Press, 304 pages). There are about 160 tunes in the collection, most of them by New England composers, but also some by European composers (Haydn, Mozart, Naumann, Stephenson, Tans'ur). There are more New England tunes in this Stoughton collection than in other tune books of the 19th century, including The Sacred Harp.
Just to give an example, here are the number of tunes by William Billings in these collections:
The Sacred Harp (1844/ revision, 1991) = 14 tunes
The Stoughton Centennial Collection (1878/ reprint, 1980) = 27 tunes
There are approximately 48 early New England tunes in The Sacred Harp and 33 of these tunes are also found in The Stoughton Centennial Collection -- which is not a shape-note tune book.
Thus, contrary to common belief, 18th century tunes did not disappear during the 19th century and early 20th centuries in the North, at least in Stoughton and surrounding towns.
Unfortunately, this fact is forgotten or not known by scholars and those who sing the New England music from The Sacred Harp, and other contemporary tune books, like The Northern Harmony (1998) and The Norumbega Harmony (2003).
They all fail to mention the important singing tradition in Stoughton that has been continuous since the 1760s.
The only event ever mentioned about Stoughton is the famous singing school taught there by William Billings in 1774. It is incorrect to say that Billings actually organized the Stoughton Musical Society, though he greatly inspired the Stoughton singers to form this musical society in 1786. Much more has happened in Stoughton since that time.
Also, these singing traditions in the North and South are not the same.
The Sacred Harp (or Shape-Note) Tradition features a different singing style, with more emphasis placed on lung power and less on subtle singing. It is a much better known tradition than the one from Stoughton, and much appreciated, as it should be.
The Stoughton Tradition has been a more cultivated one. Like the Sacred Harp Tradition, the singers are not usually professional musicians. In the past, most of the chorus was made up of singers from many nearby towns in the Stoughton area. Their concerts have often included many of the same people who meet to enjoy the singing experience. It has remained the longest such tradition but unfortunately seems to have lost its way in its present state with fewer singers and a change of repertoire away from the singing of early New England tunes.
For two centuries, 18th century choral music was continued by the Stoughton Musical Society, and deserves to be remembered for that achievement.
To hear examples of the Stoughton singing tradition, see the publications section.
Key Events in the 20th Century
1908: Stoughton Musical Society is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as "The Old Stoughton Musical Society" (or OSMS).
The evening concert in 1908 consisted of 150 singers and an orchestra of 20 musicians led by violinist E. A. Jones. The concert included various instrumental and vocal solos and choral music by these early New England composers:
- William Billings: Majesty, Chester, and Emmanuel
- Edward French: New Bethlehem
- Jeremiah Ingalls: New Jerusalem
- Abraham Maxim: Turner
- Nahum Mitchell:
Austria
Description from the 1929 OSMS history:
"At the 122nd Annual Meeting, Jan. 1, 1908, at Randolph [Massachusetts], a meeting was called at 3 o'clock for the purpose of organizing the Society into a corporate body. Due notice was given the press and special notices and posters sent out. Mr. Edwin A. Jones reported for the committee, and read the Constitution and By-Laws as prepared. The articles were taken up separately...The Constitution and By-Laws were then adopted as a whole."
CONSTITUTION OF THE
OLD STOUGHTON MUSICAL SOCIETY
ADOPTED AT RANDOLPH, JAN. 1, 1908
PREAMBLE
We, the Members of the the Old Stoughton Musical Society, wishing to revise the original Constitution adopted Nov. 7, 1786 [see 1786 and 1787 above], in order that it may conform more nearly to the needs of the Society in its present environment, do hereby adopt the following as our Constitution and By-Laws to supercede all previous regulations, viz"
Article 1. Object
The object of this Society shall be as heretofore and always, the preservation, cultivation, and practice of the music of the earlier native composers, together with general musical and antiquarian activity.
Article II. Meetings
Article III. Officers
Article IV. Duties of Officers
Article V. Vice President
Article VI. Clerk
Article VII. Trustees
Article VIII. Directors
Article IX. Chorister [Conductor]
Article X. The Vice Chorister
Article XI. Membership
Article XII. Amendments
This Constitution has been changed many times since its approval in 1908, mostly to amend the articles.
1926: Both musical societies performed in the Town of Stoughton's Bicentennial celebration. There were 150 singers and 35 musicians from MSIS and OSMS who performed on August 22 at the Pageant Grounds behind Stoughton High School.
1936: 150th Annual Meeting and Sing given at The First Congregational Church in Stoughton on January 1, 1936. The concert features soloists and chorus. George Sawyer Dunham was the Chorister (or Conductor) and Laura Shafer Gebhardt the Assistant Chorister and Accompanist. Laura Gebhardt's piece, "Flag of All Our Country" is performed (composed for the 100th anniversary of the Town of Stoughton).
1975: Release of LP album: An Appeal to Heaven (Old North Bridge Records) - featuring Musical Society of Stoughton and Old Stoughton Musical Society singers. This LP is now out-of-print but a CD-R is available upon written request.
1978: OSMS First Fall Music Festival titled, "Musick in Old New England,"held in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on October 14 and 15. Organized by OSMS Vice President, Roger Hall, the festival concluded with a concert of music by early New England composers, including William Billings and Jeremiah Ingalls. A CD of this special concert titled, "Music in Old New England, 1778-1878," is available below..
1979: "A Dedication Concert" commemorating the Grand Concert held in Memorial Hall in Canton on December 2, 1879, includes several of the same choral pieces by Canton composers: "The Dove" by Samuel Capen and "New Bethlehem" by Edward French [music shown above].
1980: OSMS Second Fall Music Festival held on November 22 and 23, organized by Roger Hall. Festival Theme: "Musick in Old Boston." The final event was a concert of music by William Billings, E.A. Jones and other 18th and 19th century American composers. The songs performed included the premiere of original versions of "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Hymn of Peace" from the 1869 Boston Peace Jubilee, and a new a song by Roger Hall for Boston's Jubilee 350 celebration titled: "O Boston!" This song is included in the songbook and CD, The Stoughton Songster .
1981: Concert in celebration of the Stoughton Town Hall Centennial given by the Old Stoughton Musical Society, conducted by Roger Hall on November 22. Some of the pieces were by local composers, including the premiere of an anti-war song, Come, GentlePeace, set to a poem written in 1814 by a Stoughton teenage girl, Esther Talbot. The music was composed by Roger Hall, and is available on this CD:
Come, Gentle Peace
1982: Concert held in Canton: "Musick of George Washington's Time" celebrating 250th anniversary of the birth of George Washington and also the birth of composer, Franz Joseph Haydn. The concert conducted by Earl Eyrich featuring soloists, chorus and instrumental works. Concert address given by OSMS Historian, Roger Hall. The music from this 1982 concert is available on a CD titled, "Music of George Washington's Time," at The Society For Earlier American Music.
1986: The Old Stoughton Musical Society Bicentennial Season included special exhibits at Harvard University, also in Lexington and Stoughton, compiled by Bicentennial Chairman, Roger Hall. There were four concerts given during this year...
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The first one was given on April 20 in North Easton, Massachusetts, and featured the world premiere performance of the hymn tune, STOUGHTON, by William Billings [original copy shown above]. It originally had music without any words. It was edited by Roger Hall, with an added text by Dr. Isaac Watts which was popular in early America.
There were also two concerts given at the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington, Massachusetts.
The first one was presented in October and titled: "Two Centuries of Piano Music in New England," featuring pianist David Hagan performing works by Charles Ives, Edwin Arthur Jones, Roger Hall and other composers.
The following month a second concert was presented: "Two Centuries of Choral Music in New England," with the Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus, directed by Earl Eyrich, performing music by William Billings, Jacob French, Oliver Shaw, Edwin A. Jones, George W. Chadwick, and Roger Hall, who composed an 18th century style fuging tune titled DEDICATION, based on words printed in the 1794 tune book of William Billings.
The fourth concert that year was the official Bicentennial Concert held at Stoughton High School exactly two hundred years later on November 7, 1986. The Billings hymn STOUGHTON was again performed and the featured work was Franz Joseph Haydn's oratorio, The Creation, for soloists, chorus and orchestra. This was the same work that had been performed in the 1886 concert of the Old Stoughton Musical Society. The commemorative program booklet contains a congratulatory letters from President Ronald Reagan, an entry in The Congressional Record by Hon. Joseph Moakley, and concert notes by Earl Eyrich and Roger Hall,
November 7, 1986 was declared as "Old Stoughton Musical Society Day" in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by order of Governor Michael S. Dukakis, shown here with (left to right): State Senator William R. Keating; O.S.M.S. President David M. Benjamin; State Representative Marjorie A. Clapprood; O.S.M.S. Treasurer Joseph M. Klements; O.S.M.S. Vice President and Bicentennial Chairman, Roger L. Hall.
In honor of this celebration, Roger Hall wrote a special Bicentennial Hymn based on the familiar psalm tune, "Old Hundred." This hymn text was included in the Bicentennial Concert Program.
For the bicentennial celebration, there was a plaque installed at the entrance of the Stoughton Historical Society Building in Stoughton Square. It reads: "On November 7, 1786, America's oldest musical society was organized near this spot. This plaque placed on the occasion of the 200th anniversary in 1986."
1987: Bicentennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution and Stoughton Musical Society Constitution (both written several weeks apart in 1787) at the Stoughton Public Library on October 8. The program included a State Proclamation delivered by Sen. William R. Keating, readings from portions of the U.S. Constitution by school students and town officials, and a new play written and directed by Roger Hall about the Stoughton Musical Society titled: The Grand Constitution. The actors in the play were Bert Anderson (as Samuel Capen) and Wayne Olem (as Elijah Dunbar). Songs were performed by eight singers from the Old Stoughton Musical Society, the pianist was Richard Hill. Copies of this special program are available upon request.
To hear two of the songs featured in The Grand Constitution,
click the links inside this box...
1990: To celebrate the bicentennial of the first singing contest by the Stoughton Musical Society, a concert was given at the Stoughton Public Library on May 10. Titled "A Stoughton Musicfest: A Celebration of Local Composers and Musicians," it featured Skip Maloney playing composer William Billings in a re-creation of the 1774 singing school in Stoughton. This program is available on DVD.
With its unbroken chain of amateur vocal performance of American music from the 1760s onward, this small Massachusetts town deserves the honor of being designated
Singing Stoughton!
The 60 member chorus of The Old Stoughton Musical Society on stage at
Stoughton High School for the Bicentennial Concert on November 7, 1986.
20th Century Stoughton Composers
- Laura Shafer Gebhardt (born: 1885/ died Stoughton, 1959)
- F. William Kempf (born: 1901/ died: Stoughton, 1950)
- Frank W. Reynolds (born: 1887/died: Stoughton, 1975)
- Roger Lee Hall (born: 1942)
Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes
by
Roger Lee Hall
One of the most popular choral music collections in 19th century America was titled:
Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes
(3 editions: 1860/ 1874/ 1889)
Father Robert Kemp (1820-1897)
This collection was used by the Old Stoughton Musical Society for many years, including the 20th century.
Selections from this collection (3rd edition, 1889) are included on this CDR, performed by The Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus, conducted by William J. Childs and Roger L. Hall, accompanied by organist Richard Hill:
Father Kemp's Concert Tunes
1.The Star Spangled Banner - words: Francis Scott Key (1814)
2. My Country 'Tis Of Thee - words: Samuel F. Smith (1831)
3. John Brown (1861)/ Battle Hymn of the Republic - words: Julia Ward Howe (1862)
4. Chester - music by Williams Billings/ words: 1786
5. Boston - music by William Billings (1778)
6. David's Lamentation - music by William Billings (version I, 1778)
7. David's Lamentation - music by William Billings (version II)
8. Majesty - music by William Billings (1778)
9. Confidence - music by Oliver Holden (1797)
10. Coronation - music by Oliver Holden (1793)
11. Northfield - music by Jeremiah Ingalls (1800)
12. New Jerusalem - music by Jeremiah Ingalls (1796)
13. Victory - music by Daniel Read (1793)
14. Ocean - composer unknown
15. Jerusalem, My Glorious Home - music by Lowell Mason (1849)
16. Jehovah's Praise - Edward L. White (1846)
17. Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims - Temperance Hymn (1870s)
18. Sons of Zion - Johann G. Naumann
19. Child of Mortality - John Bray
20. Auld Lang Syne - words: Albert Laighton (1855)
When this CD is ordered, you will receive a Free copy of the booklet,
Music in Stoughton: A Brief Survey.
This CD is available by donation only.
To order this CD, go to:
Father Kemp's Concert Tunes
Musicologist Makes Music
Thanks to the efforts of musicologist and composer RogerHall, the Old Stoughton Musical Society (OSMS) has been listed as America's oldest choral society in The Guinness Book of Records and Chase's Calendar of Events.
Roger Hall served as the first Chairman of the Stoughton Arts Council from 1980 to 1984, and also was a member of the Massachusetts Arts Advisory Committee to establish procedures for future statewide grants. From 1979 to 1987, he served as the Historian and Vice-President of the Old Stoughton Musical Society. He was also the conductor for several seasons and composed two commemorative works: "Dedication" and "Peace."
To read about his preservation efforts, click on this link:
Saving Local Music
Mr. Hall is an authority on music from earlier America and is currently Director of the
American Music Recordings Archive [AMRA]
and
New England Music Archive [NEMA]
He is available to present his entertaining and educational lectures or workshops for colleges, historical societies or any organization.
In 2009, he presented a program featuring music by the Old Stoughton Musical Society as part of his lecture titled:
"Lincoln and Liberty: Music of Abraham Lincoln's Era"
For more information about Roger Hall's programs, click on this link:
Lectures and Workshops
Sources for the above information
Flynn, John E.
Beyond the Blew-Hills: A Short History of the Town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. Stoughton: Stoughton Historical Society, 1976. Originally published in 1956.
Hall, Roger L., author of the following titles:
E.A. Jones: His Life and Music,
Old Stoughton Musical Society, Stoughton, MA, 1984.
"Elijah Dunbar: Canton's First Music Man,"
Stoughton Journal newspaper,
February 20, 1997.
"When will Stoughton get back on the musical map?"
Stoughton Journal newspaper, December 11, 1997.
MAJESTY: William Billings and The Stoughton Musical Society,
Stoughton: PineTree Press, 2000.
Music in Early Canton: Historical Notes and Music.
Stoughton:
PineTree Press,1997.
Music in Stoughton: A Brief Survey,
Stoughton,
1989.
Singing Stoughton: Selected Highlights from America's Oldest Choral Society,
Old Stoughton Musical Society,
1985.
Ten Town Tunes - Music From Stoughton, 1770-1990.
Stoughton:
PineTree Music, 1998.
The Stoughton Songster: Music Performed between 1980 and 1990.
Stoughton:
PineTree Press, 1991.
The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music.
Boston: Ditson & Company, 1878/ Reprint, DaCapo Press, 1980. Introduction and New Indexes by Roger Hall.
"This reprint is a most welcome offering for anyone interested in examining our native musical heritage, particularly those concerned with the choral tradition...
This volume should furnish hours of pleasant singing -- useful in the church, concert hall and the home."
----from a review by David P. McKay, The Hymn, 1982
Huntoon, Daniel T.V.
History of Canton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Cambridge, MA: John Wilson and Son, 1893. Includes a chapter on music in Canton and Stoughton.
Ritterband, Vicki
"Choral group gets credit as nation's oldest"
The Patriot Ledger newspaper, January 8/9, 1994. Story about Old Stoughton Musical Society being listed in The Guinness Book of World Records.
Standish, Lemuel, editor
The Old Stoughton Musical Society: An Historical and Informative Record of the Oldest Choral Society in America.
Stoughton, Massachusetts, 1929.
Stoughton Music Publications, CDs and DVDs
Compiled by Roger Hall
MAJESTY: A discussion of FACTS and FICTION about William Billings and The STOUGHTON MUSICAL SOCIETY (PINETREE PRESS, 2000)
Contents:
PART ONE: William Billings - His Life and Music
1. Family Tree
2. Parents
3. Wife and Children
4. Occupations
5. Revolutionary Patriot
6. Singing Master and Composer
PART TWO: William Billings and Old Stoughton
7. The Singing School
8. The Stoughton Musical Society
9. First Tunebook
10. Second Tunebook
11. Chicago World's Exposition Concerts
12. Billings Tunes in Stoughton Concerts (1876-1986)
Notes
Bibliography
Discography
MUSIC SUPPLEMENT:
THE PLEASURES OF VARIETY (Text: William Billings/Music: Roger Hall)
COME LET US SING (Text: William Billings/ Music: Roger Hall)
MAJESTY (music by William Billings, 1778)
STOUGHTON (music by William Billings, 1770, Edited by Roger Hall)
Music Activities in Stoughton (1980-1999)
This monograph is in very limited supply and single copies may be ordered by writing to:
MAJESTY
Special Offer!
Learn about one of the oldest singing traditions
in the United States.
Order this pamphlet and receive
The Stoughton Songster
at no extra price!
Music in Stoughton: A Brief Survey
This pamphlet covers the years from the first recorded singing meetings in 1762 to the Bicentennial of the Old Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution in 1987. It also includes other major music events such as: Oldest choral society in America organized (1786); Second musical society organized (1802); First oratorio by a local composer (1887); Only musical group representing early American music at World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893); George Washington Bicentennial Concert (1932), Old Stoughton Musical Society Bicentennial (1986).
At the back of the pamphlet are lists of Most Performed American Tunes (1879-1979) and Most Performed American Composers (1976-1986).
Also included is a new song, "Peace," composed by Roger Hall in 1981 for the Centennial of Stoughton Town Hall. This song is based on an anti-war poem written by a Stoughton teenage girl in 1814 during the War of 1812.
Also included with this pamphlet is an accompanying CD titled,
The Stoughton Harmony
Here are the track titles for this CD:
1. +The Star Spangled Banner - words: Francis Scott Key
2. Stoughton (1770) - music by William Billings (ed. by Roger Hall) --
FIRST RECORDING
3. Sharon (1778) - William Billings (ed. by Roger Hall) -- FIRST RECORDING
4. +Boston (1778) - William Billings
5. +Chester (1778/ 1786) - William Billings/
includes the ringing of a Paul Revere bell
6. +Majesty (1778) - William Billings
7.+David's Lamentation (1778) - William Billings
8. Thanksgiving Hymn - tune: Kittery by William Billings (edited by Roger Hall) - FIRST RECORDING
9. Yankee Song (1788) - tune: Yankee Doodle (arranged by Roger Hall)
10. Ode To President George Washington (1789) - edited by Roger Hall - FIRST RECORDING
11. Mount Vernon (1800) - Oliver Holden
12. +Coronation (1792) - Oliver Holden
13. +Victory (1793) - Daniel Read
14. +New Jerusalem (1796) - Jeremiah Ingalls
15. +Northfield (1799) - Jeremiah Ingalls
16. New Bethlehem (1799) - Edward French from Sharon
17. The Dove (1805) - Samuel Capen from Canton
18. +John Brown & Battle Hymn of the Republic (1861-62) -
original versions - FIRST RECORDING
19. Give Us This Day (1863) - Stephen Foster
20. +Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (1870s) - Temperance Hymn
21. Old Stoughton (1886) - Edwin A. Jones from Stoughton
22. The Lord is King (1883) - Edwin A. Jones (ed. by Roger Hall) -
FIRST RECORDING
23. Easter Carol (1892) - Charles Ives
24. O Boston! (1980) - arranged by Roger Hall - FIRST RECORDING
25. Dedication (1986) - Roger Hall -- FIRST RECORDING
26. Peace (1990) - Roger Hall -- FIRST RECORDING
27. +Song of the Old Folks (1855) - tune: Auld Lang Syne/ words: Albert Laighton
+ = Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes (3rd edition, 1889)
Some of the pieces on the CD are also included in this tunebook:
The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music (1878 / reprinted, 1980)
The Stoughton Songster
A collection compiled and edited by Roger L. Hall and featuring lyrics for 12 songs performed in Stoughton concerts between 1980 and 1990.
Included are songs by Stoughton composers: Edwin A. Jones, Frank W. Reynolds, F.William Kempf, and Roger Hall. Also there are original versions of "Yankee Doodle" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
All the songs are included on the accompanying CD, along with a radio special about the 200th anniversary of the Old Stoughton Musical Society in 1986.
The 12 songs and hymns included in The Stoughton Songster:
I. Pilgrim Poet:
1. "O Boston!" (poem: William Bradford/ tune: OLD HUNDRED) -- edited and arranged by Roger Hall for the 350th anniversary of the City of Boston in 1980.
II. Songs of George Washington's Time:
2. "Stoughton" (music by William Billings, 1770/ edited by Roger Hall) -- for the Bicentennial of the Old Stoughton Musical Society in 1986.
3. "Father and I Went Down to Camp" (tune: YANKEE DOODLE, ca. 1775)
4. "The 'Vention did in Boston meet" (tune: YANKEE DOODLE, 1788)
5. "Ode to George Washington" (text: Samuel Low/ tune: GOD SAVE THE KING, edited by Roger Hall,1982) -- sung at the Inauguration of
the First U.S. President in 1789.
III. Songs of Abraham Lincoln's Time:
6. "My Country 'Tis of Thee" (text: Samuel Francis Smith, 1831/
tune: GOD SAVE THE KING)
7. "John Brown's body lies a-mould'ring in the grave " (text printed by C.S. Hall, 1861/ tune: GLORY, HALLELUJAH,1861)
8. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (text: Julia Ward Howe, 1862/ tune: GLORY, HALLELUJAH)
IV. Stoughton Songs:
9. "Old Stoughton" (Edwin Arthur Jones, 1886)
10. "Lullaby" (Frank W. Reynolds, 1922)
11. "Barbara Allen" (folk song arranged by F. William Kempf, 1942)
12. "Come, Gentle Peace"(poem by Esther Talbot, 1814 / music by Roger Hall, 1981)
For a limited time, when you order
Music in Stoughton: A Brief Survey
you will also receive,
The Stoughton Songster,
at no extra price.
To order, go to the
Store
CDs
These historical recordings and programs
are available from PINETREE MUSIC
CD 1: Music in Old New England, 1778 - 1878 (21 tracks)
Radio broadcast with narration by Roger Hall of highlights from the Old Stoughton Musical Society's First Fall Music Festival
in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on October 14-15, 1978.
Featuring choral music by William Billings, Bartholomew Brown, Samuel Capen, Lewis Edson, Jeremiah Ingalls, Edwin Arthur Jones, Nahum Mitchell, and organ music by James Hewitt, Oliver Shaw and others. The Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus, William J. Childs, director. Richard Hill, organist.
CD 2: Old Stoughton Music Sampler (24 tracks - mp3 only)
A survey of music covering two centuries from the 1770s to 1980s, performed by the Old Stoughton Musical Society. Including music by: Supply Belcher, William Billings, Samuel Capen, Stephen Foster, Edward and Jacob French, Roger Hall, Oliver Holden, Jeremiah Ingalls, Charles Ives, Edwin Arthur Jones, and Daniel Read.
CD 3: Ten Town Tunes: Music from Stoughton, 1770 - 1990 (21 tracks)
Selection of tunes associated with the Town of Stoughton by William Billings, Jacob French, Edwin Arthur Jones, Roger Hall, F. William Kempf, Frank W. Reynolds, and Oliver Shaw. Also additional choral music by Roger Hall.
Each CD is available for making a donation to help support
this website.
Just pay by credit card
through safe and secure PayPal,
payable to PineTree Productions,
at $20.00 for one CD,
$35 for any two CDs, $50 for all three CDs,
and each one includes shipping.
Just click on this button to:
DVDs
Stoughton History and Music
Historic events in the Town of Stoughton, including the oldest choral society in the United States, organized in 1786, with a Constitution written the same year as the
U.S. Constitution in 1787
1: A Centennial Salute to Stoughton Square (1986)
Produced and Hosted by Roger Hall
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Stoughton Square, including interviews with Selectman Roy Cohen and Town Historian Howard Hansen, plus rare black & white movies from the 1920s, and music from the 19th and 20th centuries.
2: A Centennial Salute to E.A. Jones (1987)
Produced and Hosted by Roger Hall
Program honoring the centennial of several world premiere music pieces by Edwin Arthur Jones, Stoughton's most accomplished composer from the past. The program includes a brief biographical sketch of his life, interviews with Earl Eyrich, Richard Hill and Paul Larivee of the Old Stoughton Musical Society, Howard Hansen of the Stoughton Historical Society, and an interview with Mr. Jones himself (played by actor Wayne Olem). Also selected music from concerts by the Old Stoughton Musical Society.
3. Old Stoughton and
The Grand Constitution (1987)
Written and Produced by Roger Hall
In celebration of the 200th anniversaries of the U.S. Constitution and The Stoughton Musical Society Constitution, both written in 1787. Featuring readings from the U.S. Constitution, a State Proclamation presented by Sen. William R. Keating, and a short historical play.
The play concerns the writing of the Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution, written two weeks after the U.S. Constitution, and now the OLDEST CONSTITUTION OF ANY MUSICAL ORGANIZATION IN THE U.S.
Music in the play by William Brown, Francis Hopkinson, Alexander Reinagle, William Billings, and several broadside ballads arranged by Roger Hall:
"The Grand Constitution" and "Ode to President George Washington."
This DVD is available for making a donation
to help support
this website.
Pay by credit card through safe and secure PayPal,
for $20 or more, payable to PineTree Productions,
and it includes shipping.
Just click on this button to:
A Stoughton Musicfest:
A Celebration of Local Composers and Musicians
Written and produced by Roger Hall
A program honoring the 200th anniversary of what is believed to be the first singing contest held in America in 1790 between the Stoughton Musical Society and
First Parish Choir in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
This program was videotaped on May 10, 1990 at the Stoughton Public Library and includes local musicians performing music by local composers.
Narrator: Marion Wroble.
Actor Skip Maloney portrayed Boston composer, William Billings, teaching a singing school for the students. Two tunes were performed: CHESTER and STOUGHTON.
Premiere of a revised version of the song titled "Peace," sung by a vocal quartet: Elizabeth Trueblood, soprano; Carol Mezzanotte, alto; Sally MacKerron, female tenor; Roger Hall, bass; with Donna Hieken, flute, and Richard Hill, piano.
Two songs arranged by Roger Hall: "Yankee Doodle" and "Ode to President George Washington" - performed by the 30 voice chorus from all six Stoughton elementary schools, directed by Carol Mezzanotte.
Two Stoughton High School student instrumental ensembles, directed by Ronald Christianson.
To order this one hour DVD+R,
A Stoughton Musicfest,
go to
NOW AND THEN
Links
American Music Preservation
American Music Timeline (1640-1890)
American Music Recordings Archive [AMRA]
New England Music
New England Music Archive [NEMA]
New England Composer Series No. 1: E. A. Jones
New England Composer Series No. 2: G.W. Chadwick
Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM]
Other Local Links
Canton Historical Society
Sharon Historical Society
Stoughton Historical Society
Lori McKenna (National Recording Artist)
Snyder's Stoughton (Local News)
Stoughton History with a Timeline of Events (David Lambert)
The Stoughton Musical Society (Wikipedia)
Wicked Local
Please remember to credit this website!
Please remember to credit this page
if you use any of the information
in your teaching, performance or publication.
For any comments or questions,
write to:
Stoughton Music
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