The National tribune., 1892-06-09

| tion of music in our country; for, when they
packed their household goods, the am-book
of Ainsworth" was not forgotten. This was
exclusively used till 1867; although in 1910
appeared the Bay Psalm book issued from the
Cambridge Press, and prepared by famous New
| England dvines.
Before long the church began wrangling
not only over the contents of the new collec-
ton, but the manner of singing as we'll. There
were several disputed points: whether it was
right for Christians to sing at all what kind
of music should be sung; who should be
allowed to sing, and whether it was proper for
women to join in singing. The turmoil was
| quoted for q time by Rev. John Cotton, who
issued tract "The Singing of Psalms a Cos
pei Ordinance" wherein he says: "The sing
ing of Psalms with lively voice is an holy
duty of Gods worship, now in the day of the
New Testament" However, he would not
allow women to sing.
At this stage of development music could
easily have been banished from the church,
had it not been for some men of refined taste,
graduates of Oxford and Cambridge. who
worked zealously for reformation in the
musical part of the service. We find there
was stroug opposition against learning to sing
| by note, and in 1928 tract was published by
| several clergymen called, Gases of Conscience
about singing Psalms. briefly considered and
resolved"
Among the propositions is this: Is it posi-.
| DIG lot 1aJHeT3 OF AZ years Ola ana upWaruS 10
| learn to sing by rule ? and ought they to at
tempt at this age to learn ?" In the same year,
Rev. Thomas Symmes published an essay on
1.-The Reasonabeness of Regular Singing or
Singing by Note" which presents many inter-
esting features regarding musical culture at
this period.
The first American composer, William Bill
lngs. was born in ITO, the same year as Beet
hoven. tanner by trade, he eventually be-
came singing teacher, and went about the
country organizing singing schools. He was
very popular, and published book with the
following title:
"The New England Psalm Singer or Ameri-
can Chorster, containing number of Psalm
tunes, Anthems and Canons in four and five
parts never before published. Composed by
William Billings. native of Boston, in New
England. Mat. 1916. Out of the mouths Of
babes and Stockings hast thou perfected praise
James 513 Is any merry, let him sing
psalms
30, praise the Lord with one consent
And IN this grand design
Let Britain and the Colonies
Unanimously join"
He was followed by several others, among
whom was Oliver Holden, who wrote the tune
of Coronation. These writers INDUCED freely
in fuging" This was an imitation of the
English canon, in which the different parts
played hide and seek with one another. These
writings were absurd, for the authors knew
little nothing of the rules of composition.
Secular music was confined to English bal
lads and dance tunes. The instruments in use
were the harpsichord, violin, bass viol, flute,
clarionet, and bassoon. The most popular
pieces were marches. In 1913 an organ was
sent to Queens Chapel in Boston, but so great
was the prejudice against it that for seven
months it stood unpacked in the porch of the
church.
At length, HandePs "Messiah" found its
way across the water. The churches giving no
opportunity for its practice, musical societies
began to BIZ formed The Handel Society Of
Dartmouth College has the honor of being
pioneer in this field, and was most beneficial
in its influence on he cultivation Of a more |
serious style of music. This society ceased to |
exist good many years ago.
The Stoughton Musical Society, formed in |
1856. was the direct outcome of William Bill
lings's labors in the town, and is still in exist
ence.
The Handel and Haydn Society Of Boston
was formed in 1915. On Christmas Of that year
they sang for the first time the first part of
Haydn's " Creation and airs and choruses Sc
lected from Handels works.
In New York musical societies were estab-
lished about the middle of the last century.
The New York Choral Society met once week
in the lecture-room of st. Georges Church.
One of its objects was to assist with its talent
any charitable intention in the city.
In Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond and
Charleston musical entertainments were given
by local organizations, but no especial influence
was exercised outside the city limits.
There are three names prominent in our
early musical history-Lowell Mason, William
+. Bradbury, George Root. No exerted
greater influence on the musical culture of his
time than Dr. Mason, who received his degree
in 1855 from the University of New York. In
composition he confined his efforts to Psalm
tunes, having the good sense not to attempt
what he saw was beyond him. He led conven-
tions and music teachers institutes, lectured on
church music, and was largely instrumental in
the introduction Of music in the public schools
He collected valuable musical library, which
is now in the Theological Department of Yale
University.
Mr.. Bradbury was editor of over 20 colec-
tions of songs, a large part of which were his
own. He Is best known as composer of the
popular cantata, Esther, the Beautiful
Queen"
DR.. George Root carried on the convention
work begun by Lowell Mason. He is author of
many popular songs, among which are Tramp.
Tramp, Tramp. the Boys are Marching" and
" Battle Cry of Freedom"
Musical conventions arc purely American
institutions. The first one was held in Con-
cord, N. H., in 1929 Whether they have been
entirely productive of good is disputed ques-
ton; that they have served to awaken all in