American Vocal Music Series
[AVMS]

A Few Notes of Introduction

Are you a musician, musicologist, teacher, student, historian, or listener
interested in preserving music from America's past?

It's a sad fact that a great deal of America's earlier classical and popular music is seldom performed and recorded.

There are 12 titles listed here which feature music that is hard to find and available for a donation to help support this music preservation site .

For a donation of $25, you will receive a Free CD including shipping
from the American Vocal Music Series listed below.

Using a credit card, payable to PineTree Productions, through safe and secure PayPal.

Click on this button to

 

To receive your Free CD, please select your title from the list below and include your mailing address and send to:

Donation CD

 

 

American Vocal Music Series

 

There are now 12 recordings of rare music from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries from the American Music Recordings Archive.

These CDs have been prepared for educational or personal listening and not for commercial use. They are produced by the Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM].

They contain music performed mostly from original editions and also from modern arrangements, many of them recorded for the first time.

These are not studio recordings and were gathered from live concerts, so sound levels will vary.

Listen to a few samples by clicking the links (Real Audio) in the box...

 



Because these collections were compiled with great care, no refunds will be given unless a disc is defective and then it will be replaced at no extra charge after the disc has been returned.

These are the four sections of the American Vocal Music Series for educational non-commercial use only:

AMERICANA COLLECTIONS

NEW ENGLAND COMPILATIONS


PROMINENT PRESIDENTS


COMPOSER CELEBRATIONS

 

AMERICANA COLLECTIONS


America in Song, Volume 1:
From The American Revolution To World War I
(AMRC No. 8)

32 tracks (Total Time= 74:21)

A sampling of music from 1768 to 1918, performed by various vocalists and choruses.

  I.   The American Revolution (6 tracks)

 II.   New England Singing Masters (5 tracks)

III.  The Constitution and Federalism (5 tracks)

 IV.  War of 1812 (2 tracks)

   V. Westward Expansion (3 tracks)

 VI.  Shaker Spirituals (4 tracks)

VII. Sacred Choruses (3 tracks) 

VIII. Temperance Hymn (1 track)

  IX.  Songs of the 1890s (2 tracks)

      X. World War I (1 track)

To order this CD, click this link:

America in Song, Volume 1: From The American Revolution To World War I

America in Song, Volume 2:
From The Civil War To The Cold War
(AMRC No. 9)

 

32 tracks (Total Time= 74:48)

A sampling of music from 1861 to 1961, performed in original recordings by various popular artists.

  I.   The Civil War Era (6 tracks)

 II.   The Sentimental Age (3 tracks)

III.  The 1890s (5 tracks)

IV. Rise of Tin Pan Alley (3 tracks)

V. The Roaring Twenties (2 tracks)

VI. The Great Depression (2 tracks)

VII. World War II (5 tracks)

VIII. Post War Pop (3 tracks)

IX. Rock n' Roll Revolution (2 tracks)

X. Cold War Romance (1 track)



To order this CD, click this link:

America in Song, Volume 2: From The Civil War To The Cold War

 

American Choral Sampler
(AMRC No. 10)

Recorded at live concerts during the 1970s and 1980s, performed by soloists and chorus of the Old Stoughton Musical Society, America's oldest choral society.

Tracks:

1. The Star Spangled Banner (1814) -- tune: TO ANACREON/words by Francis Scott Key
(19th century arrangement)

I. Music by William Billings:

2. Stoughton (1770) -- edited by Roger Hall [first recording]
3. Sharon (1778) --with recorder quartet (ed. by Roger Hall)
[first recording]
4. Boston (1778)
5. Chester (2 versions: 1778 and 1786 with Paul Revere bell)
6. Majesty (1778)
7. David's Lamentation (1778)
8. Kittery (1778) -- text: Thanksgiving Hymn

II. New England Federalism Era:

9. Constitution Song (1788) -- tune: YANKEE DOODLE
10. Coronation (1792) -- Oliver Holden
11. Victory (1793) -- Daniel Read
12. New Jerusalem (1796) -- Jeremiah Ingalls
13. Make A Joyful Noise (1794) -- Supply Belcher
14. New Bethlehem (1799) -- Edward French
16. The Dove (1805) -- Samuel Capen

III. Civil War Years:

17. John Brown and Battle Hymn of the Republic (1861-62)
18. Give Us This Day (1863) -- Stephen Foster

 IV. Late Romantic Choruses:

19. Fugue: Blessing and Glory (1874) -- Edwin Arthur Jones/
ed. by Roger Hall [first recording]
20. The Lord is King (1883) -- Edwin Arthur Jones
21. Easter Carol (1892) -- Charles Ives [first recording]

V. Old Stoughton Songs from 1980s:

22. Anti-War Song: Come, Gentle Peace -- words: Esther Talbot, 1814/ music: Roger Hall, 1981 [first recording]
23. Fuging Tune: Dedication -- words: William Billings, 1794/
music: Roger Hall, 1986 [first recording]

VI. Song of the Old Folks

24. Auld Lang Syne -- words by Albert Laighton, 1855

To order this CD, go to the

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NEW ENGLAND COMPILATIONS

 

 

Christmas Music From New England
( AMRA No. 14)


First published sheet music for "Jingle Bells" (Boston, 1857)

 

Twenty-four Christmas carols, hymns and songs from New England composed between 1778 and 1988. For track titles and more information, go to:

Christmas Music in New England

New England Choral Sampler:
From The Pilgrims To Peace
(AMRC No. 15)

For a complete description, go here

 

New England Vocal Treasury

Julia Ward Howe -- abolitionist, reformer, writer (wrote words to "Battle Hymn of the Republic")

Music performed by various choruses including:

Plymouth Church Choir of Shaker Heights, Ohio, John D. Herr, Director

Soloists and chorus of The Old Stoughton Musical Society,
Stoughton, Massachusetts,
Earl Eyrich and Roger Hall, Conductors

I. Pilgrims and Puritans:

1. Pilgrims: Arrival in the New World/ Psalm 8
2. Pilgrims: Thanksgiving/ Psalm 100
3. Puritans: Psalm 23 (1640)
4. Puritans: Psalm 100 (1640)
5. Clerical Reformer: 100 Psalm Tune New (Rev. John Tufts, 1720s)
-- believed to be the first American tune


 II. Indians and Pirates:

 6. Narragansettt Indian Hymn -- Thomas Cummock
7. Pirate Ballad: Captain Kidd


III. The American Revolution:

8. The Lexington March (tune: YANKEE DOODLE)
9. The Liberty Song (tune: HEART OF OAK) --
words by John Dickinson, 1768
10. Free America (tune: BRITISH GRENADIERS) --
words by Dr. Joseph Warren
11. Father and I Went Down to Camp (words attributed to Edward Bangs, 1776/ tune: YANKEE DOODLE,
arranged by William A. Fisher)
12. Chester -- 2 versions (1778, 1786) --
music by William Billings
13. Thanksgiving Hymn -- music by William Billings


IV. New England Singing Masters:

14. The Bird (1790) -- William Billings
15. Victory (1793) -- Daniel Read
16. New Jerusalem (1796) -- Jeremiah Ingalls
17. New Bethlehem (1799) -- Edward French
18. Dormant (1802) -- Jacob French


V. Federalism and War of 1812:

19. Adams and Liberty (tune: TO ANACREON) --
words by Thomas R.T. Paine, 1798
20. The Star Spangled Banner (tune: TO ANACREON) --
words by Francis Scott Key, 1814
21. Peace -- words by Esther Talbot, 1814/
music by Roger Hall, 1981


VI. Patriotism and Civil War:

22. My Country 'Tis Of Thee (tune: GOD SAVE THE KING) --
words by Samuel F. Smith, 1831
23. A Prayer For The Captive -- Shaker pacifist hymn
by Cecilia DeVere, 1862
24. Battle Hymn of the Republic -- words by Julia Ward Howe, 1861
25. Go Down, Moses -- Afro-American Spiritual, 1860s
26. Give Us This Day -- Stephen Foster, 1863


VII. Boston Peace Jubilee:

27. Great National Peace Jubilee: Hymn of Peace -- words by
Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1869


VIII. Victorian Voices:

28. Aria: How Beautiful Upon The Mountains --
music by E.A. Jones, 1881


IX. World War I:

29. Song of the Marching Men -- music by Henry Hadley, 1919
30. Land of Our Hearts (finale only) --
music by George W. Chadwick, 1918

 

 

 

Note: Nos. 4, 5, 6 were used in the documentary DVD titled,
Emerson: The Ideal in America

 

 

PROMINENT PRESIDENTS


"A Toast"
Music of George Washington's Time
(AMRA No. 13)

Recorded at several live concerts performed by soloists and chorus of the Old Stoughton Musical Society, including a 1982 concert in Canton, Massachusetts, celebrating the 250th anniversaries of the births of Austrian composer, Franz Joseph Haydn, and First U.S. President,
George Washington:

Tracks:

1. The Liberty Song -- words: John Dickinson, 1768/
arr. William A. Fisher
2. Father and I Went Down to Camp -- words: attributed to Edward Bangs, 1776 / tune: YANKEE DOODLE, arr. William A. Fisher
3. Chester -- words & music by William Billings, 1778
4. Welcome, Mighty Chief, Once More -- 1789
5. A Toast --Francis Hopkinson, 1778
6. Beneath a Weeping Willow's Shade --
Francis Hopkinson, 1788
7. My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free --
Francis Hopkinson, 1759
8. Norah, Dear Norah -- William Shields, 1783
(Washington's favorite English opera)
9. The Way-Worn Traveler -- Samuel Arnold, 1793
10. Excerpt from 1982 Concert Address
11. Tenor Recitative & Chorus from THE CREATION by
Franz Joseph Haydn
12. Thanksgiving Hymn -- music: William Billings, 1778
13. Ode to the President of the United States,
George Washington -- words: Samuel Low, 1789
14. Victory -- Daniel Read, 1793
15. New Jerusalem -- Jeremiah Ingalls, 1796
16. The Dove -- Samuel Capen, 1805
17. New Bethlehem -- Edward French, 1799
18. Mount Vernon -- Oliver Holden, 1803
19. Dedication -- words: William Billings, 1794/
music: Roger Hall, 1986
20. The Grand Constitution (from one act play about the U.S. and Stoughton Musical Society's Constitutions in 1787 and 1788)
21. The Federal March (excerpt) -- Alexander Reinagle
22. The 'Vention Did In Boston Meet --
tune: Yankee Doodle, 1788
23. The Grand Constitution (dialogue from the one act play)
24. Ode to President George Washington --
tune: God Save the King

Nos. 1 - 4 = edited and arranged by William Arms Fisher,
The Music That Washington Knew

Nos. 12-13, 22-24 = edited and arranged by Roger Hall

To order this CD, go to the

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"Lincoln and Liberty"
Music From Abraham Lincoln's Era
(AMRA No. 12)


A specially prepared CD for the Lincoln Bicentennial
(1809-2009)

Music written and performed during Abraham Lincoln's lifetime and just beyond, including eight World Premiere Recordings of hymns by Stephen Foster, a Shaker pacifist hymn, and National Peace Jubilee hymn.

To see all the track titles, click on this link:

"Lincoln and Liberty"
Music from Abraham Lincoln's Era


 To order this CD,
go to the

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COMPOSER CELEBRATIONS

 

Best of William Billings (1746-1800)
(AMRC No. 1)

 

Music by America's first important composer of choral music, William Billings.

Performed by singers from The Old Stoughton Musical Society, the oldest choral society in the U.S.

Total Time = 70:45

Tracks:

1. Thus Saith the High, the Lofty One (1770)

2. Majesty (1778)

3. Chester (1778)

4. David's Lamentation (1778)

5. Thanksgiving Anthem (1794)

6. Radio Interview on WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts -
"A Note To You" with Roland Nadeau (1985)
Guest: Roger Hall

7. Modern Music (1781)

8. +Stoughton (1770) - edited by Roger Hall (1986)

9. Claremont (1794)

10. +Anthem From Sundry Scriptures: Who Is This? (1781)

11. Assurance (1781)

12. Anthem for Mariners: Euroclydon (1781)

13. Radio interview on WGBH in Boston -
"Morning Pro Musica" with Robert J. Lurtsema (1986)
Guests: Roger Hall and David McKay

14. +Anthem: Charity (1794)

15. +Sharon (1778) - with recorder quartet, 1980

16. Stoughton (1770) - with piano accompaniment, 1980

17. +The Pleasures of Variety -- music by Roger Hall, 1980

 18. +Dedication -- music by Roger Hall, 1986

19. +Anthem: O God, My Heart is Fixed (1794)

20. Chester (1786 version)

21. Radio interview with David McKay on WGBH in Boston
"Morning Pro Musica" (1986)

+ = First recording

To order this CD
go to the

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Music by Four New England Composers
(AMRC No. 2)

Total Time = 62:37

Music by four composers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including special commemorative works such as the World's Peace Jubilee hymn and the official U.S. Centennial Cantata by Dudley Buck; two choruses composed for the Dartmouth College Glee Club by Edwin Jones; an Easter Carol by Charles Ives; and a major World War I era cantata by George Chadwick.

All of these are believed to be first recordings:



I. Dudley Buck (1839-1909)

1. Festival Hymn: Peace and Music - complete performance (organ-vocal score) for the World's Peace Jubilee in Boston,1872.
2. Centennial Meditation of Columbia -- a cantata for United States Centennial in 1876, based on a poem by Sidney Lanier - complete performance (piano-vocal score).

II. Edwin A. Jones (1853-1911)

3. Organ: Prelude and Fugue in G minor (1878)
4. Dartmouth Glee Club Chorus: "Praise Ye The Lord" (1874)
5. Dartmouth Glee Club Chorus: "Blessing and Glory" (1874)
6. Oratorio Chorus: "Hail! All Triumphant Lord" from
Easter Concert (1890)

See New England Composer Series No. 1



III. Charles E. Ives (1874-1954)

7. Chorus: "Turn Ye, Turn Ye" (1890)
8. Chorus & Solo Quartet: "Easter Carol" (1892)
9. Soloist & Chorus: "The Collection" (1920)

See Composers in America

IV. George W. Chadwick (1854-1931)

10. Organ Prelude: "The Star" from Noel (1909)
11. Chorale: "How Lovely Shines The Morning Star"
from Noel (1909)
12. Choral Cantata: Land of Our Hearts (1918) --
complete performance (piano-vocal score)

See New England Composer Series No. 2

 

To order this CD,
Music by Four New England Composers,
go to the

Store

 

 



A Centennial Collection: Music by E.A. Jones (1853-1911)
(AMRC No. 4)

This CD has been prepared for the centennial memorial of this unjustly negelected New England composer, Edwin Arthur Jones (1853-1911).

All the performances on the CD were recorded in live concerts and all of them are World Premiere Recordings:

1. Prelude and Fugue in G minor for pipe organ (Op. 10, 1878) -- first concert performance, 1980

2. Dartmouth College Glee Club Chorus:
Praise Ye The Lord (1874)
3. Dartmouth College Glee Club Chorus:
Blessing and Glory (1874)
4. Trio for Strings (1878)
5. Fuging Chorus: OLD STOUGHTON (1886)



SONG OF OUR SAVIOUR (Op. 14, 1881) - A Cantata for SATB Soloists and Chorus, Organ, and Orchestra

6. Introduction for Orchestra
7. Bass Recitative & Chorus: Break forth into joy
8. Alto Air: How beautiful upon the mountains
9. Chorus: Awaken thou that sleepest
10. Tenor Recitative & Air: Greater love hath no man
11. Recitative and Air: O Lord/ If ye love me
12. Soprano, Alto, Tenor Trio: Look unto me
13 Bass Recitative: Unto Him that loved us/
Final Chorus: Glory be to God

SONG OF OUR SAVIOUR Cantata (Nos 6-13):
Old Stoughton Musical Society Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra,
Richard Hill, organist; Raymond Fahrner, conductor;
Recorded at the World Premiere performance in Stoughton, Massachusetts, May 3, 1992. The cantata text will be sent with the CD.


14. String Quartet No. 2 (Op. 22, 1887) -- first performed by The Kneisel Quartet at Mrs. J.L. (Isabella Stewart) Gardner's home in Boston in 1889 -- first modern day performance, 1985.

15. Chorus: Hail! All Triumphant Lord! from oratorio,
EASTER CONCERT (Op. 28, 1890)

16. The Farewell Waltzes for piano (Op. 8, 1874)



 

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See also:

New England Composer Series: Edwin Arthur Jones

 

Songs by Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791)
(AMRA No. 17)

For the list of track titles, see
American Music Recordings Collection (AMRC No. 17)


To order this CD, go to the

Store

 

Multimedia Titles
Now Available on CDs and DVDs



Read about them at the

Multimedia Americana Music Series [MAMS]

 

 

Essential American Recordings Survey

The year 2009 marks the the 250th anniversary of the
FIRST SONG WRITTEN BY AN AMERICAN. To honor this anniversary, a survey of recommended recordings has been compiled listing essential American music.The recordings include a cross section of music, including 18th century psalm tunes, 19th century patriotic songs; 20th century classical, jazz, stage & screen, and popular songs.

To read this survey, go to:

EARS


Are you interested in a music program for your group or college?

For a list of available titles, click on this link for

Lectures and Workshops

Music publications and CDs available at these links:

American Music Recordings Archive [AMRA]

New England Music Archive [NEMA]

Preserving Our Musical Past [POMP]

Shaker Music Collections and Songbooks

Singing Stoughton -- Oldest Choral Society in the U.S.A.

Store for Publications and CDs

 

 

 

Recordings and Surveys

 

American Music Timeline [AMT]

Essential American Recordings Survey [EARS]

New England Music Archive [NEMA]

National Carry A Tune Week

100 Essential Songs of the 20th Century

100 Essential Film Scores of the 20th Century

Survey of American Song (Part I, 1759-1859/ Part II, 1861-1961)

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

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