1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Concerts
By Roger Hall
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 concerts at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition in August of 1893. This musical society performed a concert of early American music (or "Programme of Ancient Music" as listed on the above concert poster).
They were the only chorus to perform music from early New England at the Chicago World's Exposition. They appeared in Colonial costumes and were well received by the audience and critics.
In an article in the Chicago Tribune from August 13, 1893, this was the pre-concert announcement:
"The most interesting announcement made for the current week by the Bureau of Music, and one having historical significance, is that regarding the series of concerts that will occur in the Music Hall on +Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. This is the oldest singing society in America and was organized November 7, 1786, under the name of the 'Stoughton Musical Society,' with a membership of twenty-five, all men . Women were not admitted as members until the year 1844; it was also voted, however, that their supper was to be paid for out of the general treasury . The music to be given will include examples from all the composers whose hymns were sung in days past, as well as more modern works by Lowell Mason and his contemporaries. There will be a chorus of 100 and soloists. To enhance the historical interest of the event the singers will appear in costume . A number of rare interest will be a solo and chorus entitled 'Ode to Columbia's Favorite Son,' by Oliver Holden. This ode, which was first sung upon the occasion of Washington's visit to Boston in 1789, will be given now for the second time, and is the best of the many amazing odes to Washington."
+ -- two concerts were given, not three.
The Stoughton Sentinel newspaper proudly proclaimed:
"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 local 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."
The two concerts on August 14 and 15 were performed in the Music Hall at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition. Here is the complete concert program performed by the Stoughton Musical Society chorus and soloists in Colonial costumes, 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 (pub. about 1800) -- 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 -- Oliver Shaw
8. + EASTER ANTHEM -- 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, DaCapo Press, 1980).
Four of the above selections (Nos. 3b,3c, 6b, 10a) are listed on theTop 40 at:
New England Music Archive
For more about this musical organization, click on these links:
Old Stoughton Musical Society History
Singing Stoughton
World's Columbian Exposition (Wikipedia)
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