1. "Old Stoughton and The Grand Constitution" (1987)
Written and Directed by Roger Hall
Celebrating the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution
and the Stoughton Musical Society (SMS) Constitution,
both written in 1787. The SMS's Constitution
is the oldest of any music organization in the USA.
The half-hour program was videotaped at
the Stoughton Public Library on October 8, 1987.
It includes readings from the U.S. Constitutions by
students and town residents.
The highlight is a one-act play written and directed by
Roger Hall
titled,
"The Grand Constitution." It features two actors portraying two original members of the Stoughton Musical Society:
Elijah Dunbar (Wayne Olem) and Samuel Capen (Bert Anderson). Also a chorus from
the
Old Stoughton Musical Society.
The songs performed include:
"The Grand Constitution (ballad, 1787)
"Beneath a weeping willow's shade" (Francis Hopkinson)
"The Federal March" (Alexander Reinagle)
"Chester" (William Billings)"
"Yankee Doodle" (1788)
"Ode to George Washington"
Here is an excerpt of the opening Preamble to this Constitution with Rules and Regulations,
first voted on October 8, 1787:
And as the powers of harmonious music are most admirably calculated to humanize the ferocious passions, to increase the various emotions of the mind, the different degrees of sensibility and all the feelings of the heart...We, therefore, esteem it our duty to study to promote that harmony which is pleasing to our Maker and so delightful to ourselves. Stimulated with these salutary and laudable motives, we, whose names are underwritten, form ourselves in a society by the name of the Stoughton Musical Society, for the implied purpose of practicing vocal music.
2. A Stoughton Musicfest: A Celebration of Local Composers and Musicians(1990)
This one hour documentary is about the history of singing in Stoughton, from the 1760s to the present day,
and a celebration of local composers and musicians.
Ths disc includes performances of several patriotic songs by a combined Stoughton Elementary School Chorus singing: "Yankee Doodle" and "Ode to President George Washington."
The highlight is a short play written by Roger Hall titled, "William Billings Teaches A Singing School."
These are the participants in this documentary:
Narrator: Marion Wroble from WBET Radio
Actor: Skip Mahoney (portraying William Billings)
Vocal Quartet: Elizabeth Trueblood, Carol Mezzanotte, Sally MacKerron, Roger Hall
Flute: Donna Hieken
Piano: Richard Hill
Elementary School Chorus, Carol Mezzanotte, Director
High School Instrumental Ensemble, Ronald Christianson, Director
To contact Mr. Hall about a possible music program for your audience -- click here
This computer disc is a great resource for historical researchers, classroom teaching and singers!
Order your copy of this fact-filled collection
by clicking the "Add to Cart" button below...
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"Dedication" -
Singing in Stoughton, 1762-1992
by Roger Lee Hall
(PineTree Multimedia PTM 1051)
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Dedication disc
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See the music monographs, DVDs and CDs avaialable at
Stoughton Music Heritage Series
