World’s Columbian Exposition Concerts
in 1893
Stoughton Musical Society President, Sanford W. Billings, proudly proclaimed they had
responded to the cordial invitation to present American music of the olden days to the gaze of the world. In this act it has surpassed every other musical organization in this country.
Over 2,000 people came to hear the Stoughton Musical Society give two concerts at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition in August of 1893.
They were the only chorus to perform early American choral music at the Chicago Exposition and they were also helping to preserve this American music tradition as the oldest choral society in America, organized in 1786. They appeared in Colonial costumes and were well received by both audiences and critics.
The two concerts on August 14 and 15 were performed in the Music Hall [shown at left] at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition.
This is the complete program from the World's Columbian Exposition concerts with music by early American composers performed by the Stoughton Musical Society chorus and soloists, conducted by
Leander Soule, the orchestra under the direction
of Edwin A. Jones:
1a. +TURNER (pub. in 1802)-- Abraham Maxim
1b. +INVITATION (pub. in 1793)-- Jacob Kimball
1c. +CONTENTMENT (pub. in 1805)-- John Cole
2. Duet: ARRAYED IN GOLDEN LIGHT -- Oliver Shaw
3a. + EMMANUEL (pub. in 1790)-- William Billings
3b. + NEW BETHLEHEM (1799)
-- Edward French
3c. + MAJESTY (pub. about 1790)[1778] -- William Billings
4. Trio: + OMEGA -- Oliver Holden, pub. about 1793
5a. + AUSTRIA (pub. in 1790)-- Nahum Mitchell
5b. + GREENWICH (pub. in 1793)-- Daniel Read
5c. + HEAVENLY VISION (pub. in 1786)-- Jacob French
6a. Solo and Chorus:
ODE TO COLUMBIA'S FAVORITE SON (1789) -- Oliver Holden
6b. + CHESTER (pub. in 1770)-- William Billings
6c. + ODE ON SCIENCE (pub. in 1798)-- Jezaniah Sumner
7. Song: THERE'S NOTHING TRUE BUT HEAVEN (1829)
-- Oliver Shaw
8. + EASTER ANTHEM (1786) -- William Billings
9. + CHINA (pub. in 1788)-- Timothy Swan
10a. + NEW JERUSALEM (pub. in 1802)-- Jeremiah Ingalls
10b. + DAVID'S INVITATION [LAMENTATION] -- William Billings
10c. +MOUNT VERNON (pub. in 1803) --
John Cole [Oliver Holden]
11. Quartette: WHEN AS RETURNS THIS SOLEMN DAY --
Lowell Mason
12. Anthem: + JEHOVAH'S PRAISE (pub. about 1837)--
Edward L. White
+ = included in The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial
Collection of Sacred Music (Boston: Ditson & Company,
1878/reprint with a new Introduction by Roger Hall,
DaCapo Press, 1980).
After their return, the Stoughton Sentinel newspaper announced,
the attendance at the two concerts was a matter of surprise to the Exposition people. It was larger than had been attracted to the Theodore Thomas symphony concerts.
Local newspaper reporter Lemuel Standish, who also went on the trip to Chicago, wrote this description in the Stoughton newspaper on August 19, 1893:
One hundred and ten members of the Stoughton Musical Society made a busy, bustling crowd in the Lowell station of the B&M [Boston & Maine] system in Boston on Friday evening last. The crowd was a remakable one in several ways. The passing stranger would be first struck with the appearance and makeup of the party. They were all fine appearing , well balanced people, of good address, and attractive personality. They were a good natured party also. They were also remarkable for the purpose which drew them together. To travel 1,200 miles to give two concerts of music is a remarkable feat, but taking in connection with this the fact that they were the chosen representatives of the oldest musical organization in the country made this gathering yet more remarkable.
--all the above information provided by
Stoughton musicologist, Roger L. Hall
For more information see these AMP links:
"Dedication" - A Guide to Singing Meetings and Concerts
in Stoughton, 1762-1992
Singing Stoughton
Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection
Stoughton Music Heritage Series
Offical website for Old Stoughton Musical Society -- click here
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