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Society for Earlier American Music
[SEAM]
A Few Notes of Introduction
This is a web support group to help preserve rare American music from the past, especially songs and choral music.
For too long it has been customary to underestimate the quality of music composed in the United States during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is not generally known that efforts were made early on to preserve American music.
For example, there were attempts made during the 19th century to preserve American choral music from the 18th century by such organizations as the Billings and Holden Society and the Stoughton Musical Society. But those early efforts did not establish a permanent place for this music in America's musical landscape.
Now is the time to help preserve and restore music from earlier America, especially vocal music, before it is lost or forgotten.
Are you a musician, conductor, musicologist, teacher, student, historian, or listener interested in preserving music from America's past?
Then consider joining this support group known as the
Society for Earlier American Music (or SEAM)
Just like the pieces of material in a patchwork quilt (thus the abbreaviation "SEAM"), this Society seeks to preserve music from America's past by stitching together musical threads to make them available again in a tableau of sound.
It's a sad fact that a great deal of America's early classical and popular music is seldom performed or recorded today.It is hoped that SEAM can make more people aware of worthwhile music from the past through information here, including publications and recordings.
The ultimate goal is preservation of this music through various activities.
This music needs to be heard again -- so the emphasis will be on making the music available in concerts and on recordings similar to the
American Vocal Music Series.The funding for this SEAM web group is extremely limited and confined at present to this web site.
Hopefully in the future, funds will be generated to support a series of concerts and recordings.
SEAM Needs You!
Here are four ways you can participate as a member:
1. Research Affiliate working on your American music project and
submitting a brief report or query for the SEAM Bulletin Board.2. Performer Associate to schedule concerts or programs focusing on
vocal or instrumental music from earlier America.3. Educational Advisor to help plan a conference or workshop at a college,
music school or other educational institution.4. Promotion Manager to seek financial aid and increased visibility for SEAM.
If you would like to participate in any of these needed tasks, or would like to participate in some other way, then sign up now and send in your ideas.
Become A SEAM Member Today
Membership in this web activist group is currently Free but donations of $10 or more are most welcome.
For a donation of $25, you will receive a CD at no extra charge
from the American Vocal Music Series.
Click this button using a credit card
payable to PineTree Productions
through safe and secure PayPal to
After you have made your donation,
please indicate which CD in the American Vocal Music Series
you wish and also send your mailing address to
Why not send in your membership request today?
Please keep in mind that this is a support group so all members are requested to participate in some way. Members who fail to particpate in some way for one year will be removed from the mailing list.
Become a member now and help stop the neglect of earlier American music!
Let's make music from America's past come alive again!!
Roger Lee Hall
President, Society for Earlier American MusicTo join or if you have any questions, write to:
Read the announcements on the SEAM
Essential American Recordings Survey
The year 2009 marked the the anniversary of the
FIRST SONG WRITTEN BY AN AMERICAN.To honor this anniversary, a survey of 200 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:
Essential American Recordings Survey [EARS]
![My days have been so wondrous free [manuscript]](http://lcweb2.loc.gov/natlib/ihas/service/songinamerica/200035565/0001t.jpg)
Music Series
Read about the CDs of American music from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Click on this link:
Read more about the CDs and DVDs at
Multimedia American Music Series
Are you interested in an American music program for your group?
For a list of available titles, click on this link for
Recordings and Surveys
American Music Recordings Archive [AMRA]
American Music TimelineNew England Music Archive [NEMA]
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