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Attention American music specialists,
historians, teachers,
singers, writers,
and interested individuals!
Did you know that the oldest choral society in America still exists in a small town in Massachusetts?
It is not known to many that for over two centuries in the Town of Stoughton, Massachusetts there has been a long history of choral singing.
In fact it is the oldest continuous choral tradition in the United States of America.
Many who study and sing early American choral music are unaware of this long and distinguished musical past in Stoughton, beginning as far back as the 1760s!
Among Stoughton's distinctions are two historic musical societies:
The Musical Society in Stoughton (MSIS) - organized in 1802 and disbanded in 1982. This Society accepted only Stoughton residents, and among them were some highly talented musicians and a few composers, like Alanson Belcher and E.A. Jones.
The Old Stoughton Musical Society (OSMS) - still exists and is now the OLDEST CONTINUING CHORAL SOCIETY IN THE USA. It was organized on November 7, 1786. This musical society was officially recognized by The Guinness Book of Records in 1985 as the oldest in the U.S.A., thanks to material provided by Roger Hall.
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Community Forum TV Show
The Community Forum talk show from June 6, 2013 hosted by Roxanne Morse had as her guest,
musicologist, Roger Lee Hall, speaking about his accomplishments as Historian for the Old Stoughton Musical Society, and other music activities in Stoughton.
If you would like to obtain a DVD copy of this program -- click here
The music titles listed below are available
to help support
the important work of the
Center for American Music Preservation (CAMP).
Please help support the CAMP with your order.
If you have any questions about ordering
the titles listed below write to:
PineTree Productions
Music Monograph Series
No. 1. E.A. Jones: His Life and Music
by Roger L. Hall
$15 (USA orders)/$25 Worldwide Air Mail)
A collection about the life and music of Stoughton's best known
composer from the 19th century
including a music album and sample sheet music.
No. 2. Music in Early Canton:
Historical Notes and Music
Compiled and Edited by Roger L. Hall
$15 (USA orders)/ $25 (Worldwide Air Mail)
A collection about 8 early musicians in Canton, Massachusetts,
with sample sheet music, a timeline of events, and concert programs,
including the concert
held in Canton commemorating
the 250th anniversary of the birth of George Washington in 1982
No. 3. TEN TOWN TUNES:
Music From Stoughton, 1770-1990
Compiled and Edited by Roger L. Hall
$20 (USA)/$25 (Worldwide Air Mail)
Sheet music collection and concert programs (pdf),
plus a music album
a commerorative concert
held in
Stoughton in 1990
No. 4 - "MAJESTY":
Being A discussion of FACTS and FICTION
about
William Billings
and
The Stoughton Musical Society
By Roger L. Hall
$15 (USA orders)/ $25 (Worldwide Air Mail)
This revised edition contains additional files along
with the original monograph
about the most important early American composer,
William Billings (1746-1800) and his
connections to the Stoughton Musical Society.
The disc also includes a Billings family geneology and
a timeline, plus sheet music examples.
Here are a few sample Billings tunes for streaming only
sung by the Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus:
CHESTER (2 versions: 1778 & 1786)
STOUGHTON (1770) - Premier Performance in 1986
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Over 70 music examples on these four CDs:
AMRC CD 0026: "Chester" - Music in Old New England, 1778-1878
- 18 tracks
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Radio documentary narrated by OSMS Historian, Roger Hall,
with highlights from the Old Stoughton Musical Society's First Fall Music Festival in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on October 14-15, 1978.
Composers incluide: William Billings, Bartholomew Brown, Jeremiah Ingalls,
Samuel Capen, Lowell Mason, George Root, James Hewitt, Edwin Arthur Jones.
For a list of the music titles -- click here
AMRC CD 0027: "Peace" - A Dedication Concert
- 15 tracks
Read more about this historic concert from November 22, 1981,
to celebrate the Centennial of Stoughton Town Hall (built in 1881),
and featuring music by American composers performed by
the Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus, conducted by Roger Hall.
To see the music titles
-- click here
AMRC CD 0046: "The Heavenly Vision" - The Old Stoughton Harmony
- 24 tracks
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A selection of choral music from the 18th to 20th centuries performed by
the Old Stoughton Musical Society Chorus
with music by:
William Billings, Jacob French, Oliver Holden, Daniel Read,
Stephen Foster, Charles Ives, and composers from Stoughton area towns.
AMRC CD 0047: "New Jerusalem" - The Stoughton Harmony, 1770-1990
- 20 tracks
Includes the most performed tune in concerts, "New Jerusalem" by Jeremiah Ingalls
Also these tunes:
"Stoughton" - William Billings, 1770 (edited by Roger Hall)
First Performance in OSMS Bicentennial Season in 1986
Music by these Stoughton area composers
and click the links for audio samples:
Stoughton -
-Edwin A. Jones - "Old Stoughton" - 1886, and "The Lord Is King" - 1890
-Roger L. Hall - "Dedication" - 1986, and "Peace" - 1990
-F. William Kempf - "Barbara Allen" - 1942
-Frank W. Reynolds - "Lullaby" - 1922
Sharon -
-Edward French - "New Bethlehem" - 1799
-Jacob French - "The Heavenly Vision" - 1786
Canton -
-Supply Belcher - "Make A Joyful Noise" (Psalm 100) - 1794
-Samuel Capen - "The Dove" - 1805
Each CD is available for $19.95
Price includes First Class shipping on any of the four CD titles
Your order is payable by credit card
through safe and secure PayPal.
Click on this button:
After you have paid please send an email an indicate
which AMRC CD
you wish to receive.
Write to:
PineTree Productions
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