Stoughton Musical Society
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Organized in 1786 as The Stoughton Musical Society, it is America's oldest performing musical organization. For over two centuries it has had many distinguished accomplishments. In 1908, when incorporated under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...
, the name was changed to Old Stoughton Musical Society and it has retained that designation.


Early years

From the inspiration of a singing school given in Stoughton in 1774 by
Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
composer,
William Billings William Billings (October 7, 1746 – September 26, 1800) is regarded as the first American choral composer and leading member of the First New England School. Life William Billings was born in Boston, Massachusetts. At the age of 14, t ...
, a group of male singers in town decided to form a singing society. There were 25 names and all of them listed in the membership journal with the date of organization being November 7, 1786. Their first President was Elijah Dunbar, 1740–1814, from Canton. He was also their conductor and a singer. The first music collection the musical society purchased was ''The Worcester Collection of Sacred Harmony'' compiled by Isaiah Thomas in 1786, which contained the first American printing of the
Hallelujah Chorus ''Messiah'' ( HWV 56), the English-language oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, is structured in three parts. This listing covers Part II in a table and comments on individual movements, reflecting the relation of the musical se ...
from Handel's ''Messiah''.


Singing contest

According to the musical society's 1929 history book, the Stoughton singers met a chorus from the nearby First Parish Church in Dorchester about the year 1790. This is believed to be the first singing contest held in America. The Dorchester chorus consisting of men and women were accompanied by a bass viol, the Stoughton Musical Society had twenty selected male voices and sang without accompaniment. The Stoughton singers first performed Jacob French's anthem, ''The Heavenly Vision,'' which they performed from memory. Next, the Dorchester chorus performed an unidentified piece. Then the Stoughton singers performed Handel's majestic
Hallelujah Chorus ''Messiah'' ( HWV 56), the English-language oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, is structured in three parts. This listing covers Part II in a table and comments on individual movements, reflecting the relation of the musical se ...
from his oratorio, ''Messiah,'' from memory and without any instrumental accompaniment. Following that performance, the Dorchester chorus acknowledged defeat and the Stoughton singers won the contest. .


Centennial celebration

On June 9, 1886, the Stoughton Musical Society celebrated its centennial with a full day of activities including a special dinner and an evening concert attended by both Governor
George D. Robinson George Dexter Robinson (born George Washington Robinson; January 20, 1834 – February 22, 1896) was an American lawyer and Republican Party (United States), Republican politician from Chicopee, Massachusetts. After serving in the Massachusett ...
and Lieutenant Governor Oliver Ames. Gov. Robinson spoke glowingly about this centennial concert, ending with these remarks: "Let me commend, so far as my opinion can possibly extend, the fine production of this evening. It has afforded me real delight." The featured work for the concert was Haydn's oratorio, '' The Creation'', for soloists, chorus and orchestra.


World's fair concerts

One of their greatest achievements took place at the
World's Columbian Exposition The World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was a world's fair held in Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordi ...
in
Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...
in 1893. The Stoughton Musical Society's 100 musicians performed two concerts in the Music Hall. Both the singers and orchestra wore Colonial costumes. At the first concert on August 14, there were 2,000 people in attendance, more than had attended the symphony concerts conducted by Theodore Thomas. The music performed by the musical society consisted of 24 pieces by such 18th century New England composers as:
William Billings William Billings (October 7, 1746 – September 26, 1800) is regarded as the first American choral composer and leading member of the First New England School. Life William Billings was born in Boston, Massachusetts. At the age of 14, t ...
, Oliver Holden, Jacob French, and Daniel Read. Some of these composers were later recorded by the Stoughton Musical Society on their LP album in 1975 titled "An Appeal to Heaven."


Bicentennial celebration

The Old Stoughton Musical Society celebrated with a concert again featuring Haydn's ''Creation''. The concert was held on November 7, 1986, exactly two hundred years after its founding date. Letters of congratulation were received from President
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
, a Proclamation naming the concert date as "Old Stoughton Musical Society Day" in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, signed by Governor Michael S. Dukakis, and an entry in the ''
Congressional Record The ''Congressional Record'' is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Publishing Office and issued when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record Inde ...
'' by Congressperson
Joe Moakley John Joseph Moakley (April 27, 1927 – May 28, 2001) was an American politician who served as the United States representative for Massachusetts's 9th congressional district from 1973 until his death in 2001. Moakley won the seat from incumbent L ...
of Massachusetts. A commemorative program was published which included "Notes from the Past", pictures of the chorus, and a hymn written by Bicentennial Chairman Roger L. Hall.


Stoughton composers

The small town of Stoughton has produced a number of composers who have written music performed by the Stoughton Musical Society and other performing organizations:Hall, Roger L. ''Music in Early Canton: Historical Notes and Music''. p.3-4. * 18th century **
Supply Belcher Supply Belcher (March 29, 1751 – June 9, 1836) was an American composer, singer, and compiler of tune books. He was one of the so-called Yankee tunesmiths or First New England School, a group of mostly self-taught composers who created sacred vo ...
, b. 1751/ d. 1836 (Farmington, Maine) ** Samuel Capen, b. 1745/ d. 1809 (Canton, Massachusetts) ** Edward French, b. 1761/ d. 1845 (Sharon, Massachusetts) **
Jacob French Jacob French (July 15, 1754 – May 1817) was a singing master and one of the first American composers, sometimes called Yankee tunesmiths. "A student of William Billings, French adopted Billings' innovative approach to psalmody ... His music tend ...
, b. 1754/ d. 1817 (Simsbury, Connecticut) * 19th century ** Alanson Belcher, b. 1810/ d. 1900 (Stoughton) **
Edwin Arthur Jones Edwin Arthur Jones, (June 28, 1853 – January 9, 1911) was an American composer. His works include a cantata and a large oratorio in three parts, modeled after Handel's ''Messiah (Handel), Messiah''. Early life and education Edwin Arthur Jones w ...
, b. 1854/ d. 1911 (Stoughton)-- his cantata for soloists, chorus and orchestra, ''Song of Our Saviour'' (1881), received its world premiere performance in Stoughton in 1992. * 20th century ** F. William Kempf, b. 1901/ d. 1950 (Stoughton)- one of his instrumental works, ''Suite Classique'' (1940) was performed by the Boston Pops, conducted by Arthur Fiedler. ** Laura Shafer Gebhardt, b. 1885/ d. 1959 (Stoughton) - composed ''Flag of All Our Country'' for the bicentennial of the Town of Stoughton in 1926. ** Roger Lee Hall, b. 1942 - composed several commemorative pieces, including ''Peace'' (1981/rev. 1990) and ''Dedication'' (1986).


Notes


References

* Roger L. Hall, ''Singing Stoughton: Selected Highlights from America's Oldest Choral Society'', Old Stoughton Musical Society, 1985. * Roger L. Hall, ''Music in Stoughton: A Brief Survey'', Private printing, 1989. * Roger L. Hall, ''Music in Early Canton: Historical Notes and Music'', PineTree Press, 1997. * Roger L. Hall, ''Dedication: Singing in Stoughton, 1762-1992'', PineTree Press, 2017. * Daniel T.V. Huntoon, ''History of the Town of Canton, Norfolk County, Mass.'', Cambridge, John Wilson and Son, 1893. * Lemuel W. Standish, editor, ''Old Stoughton Musical Society - An Historical and Informative Record of the Oldest Choral Society in America,'' Stoughton, 1929. ''Now online


External links


The Official Website of the Old Stoughton Musical Society - history and current activities




* ttp://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/singingstoughton.htm Singing Stoughton
World's Columbian Exposition Concerts
{{Authority control Choirs in Massachusetts 1786 establishments in Massachusetts Choral societies Musical groups established in the 1780s