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American Music
American Musicians
The real beginning of American music was the psalm singing of the Pilgrims and Puritans in New England. Before that time, the settlers in Virginia had brought over the music of the old country. They had even given concerts, but they in no way changed the music from its original form, so that it cannot be counted as an American product.
American Music
Anerican Composers
Theodore Thomas once remarked that he thought the prestige of Boston as a musical city during the last twenty-five years was largely due to the influence of Harvard University. It is not probable that he meant the direct educational influence, since Harvard has at no time encouraged the study of applied music or influenced her students to become professional musicians by offering technical training in singing or the playing of musical instruments.
American Music
Concerts and Oratorios
Early in the Eighteenth Century a general interest in music was awakened in this country primarily through the instrumentality of the church but also through the efforts of the dancing and fencing masters who gave instruction in singing and on the spinet, harpsichord, etc., as well.
American Music
Instrumental Music, Bands and Orchestras
It is probable that the first instrumental music in America was heard in the Virginian colonies. Unfortunately there is no record regarding such matters ; but it naturally may be supposed that the Virginian settlers, coming as they did of Royalist stock, brought with them some sort of musical instruments, even though the work of founding a new home allowed of little time for diversion.
American Music
Music in the Public Schools
There is no factor more interesting, more valuable or significant than the advance in the general culture of music through the medium of the public schools.
American Music
Music of North American Indians
In treating of the subject of the history and evolution of music in America it is but natural to turn first to the music of the aborigine. Strictly speaking, the music of the American Indian has played little or no part in the development of our art music, and is introduced here only because of its interest as belonging to the aboriginal inhabitants of the country.
American Music
Music Trades
Whatever may be the state of musical culture in America, the standard of musical taste, or the value of American composition, there can be no question as to the importance of American achievement in the line of instrument making. The best of American instruments, in the matter of the piano for instance, serve as ideals for the followers of Cristofori's art in every country of the globe.
American Music
Musical Education
The era of musical education in America dates back about two hundred years. From the most obscure and crude beginnings and in the face of many difficulties the country has undergone such a remarkable evolution that at the present time the United States of America stands on a truly high plane in artistic appreciation and in general educational advantages.
American Music
Negro Music and Negro Minstrelsy
While the songs of the American Indian are of questionable value musically, those of the negro, another peculiarly American song product, are of undoubted worth. The coming of the negro to America has, served to introduce into our musical life features which are unique in the annals of history.
American Music
Opera in America
Whatever progress America has made in operatic production may be ascribed almost wholly to New Orleans and New York, for it is in these cities alone that any lasting attempts have been made in the establishment of permanent opera. By permanent opera is meant the institution of a company regularly engaged in the presentation of opera in a house devoted exclusively to such an enterprise.
American Music
Patriotic and National Music
While all patriotic and national music is to a greater or less extent popular music, it may be classed apart in that its growth largely is due to the circumstance of war and is the specific outcome of such conditions. America's war songs and sea songs have played their part as incentives to patriotism, to enlistment in the ranks, to valor in the field and on the sea, and have served to inspire and cheer the fighting forces of the Republic. They thus have become national both in scope and in character.
American Music
Popular Music
The considering of popular music naturally follows a review of negro minstrelsy because the minstrel show so long served as the medium by which such music was given to the public. Popular music always has had and always will have its place in the lives of the people. Interest in it therefore is general.
American Music
Psalmody and Church Music
The music of the Puritans was entirely religious in character, and it is their psalmody which marks the commencement of our music development. There has been much controversy among music historians as to which psalm-books first were used by the early Puritans.
American Music
Summary and Outlook
The first music having any pretensions to artistry to be heard in America was the psalmody of the Puritans. Whatever its true status, as sung by the early settlers it was music of the crudest kind. This was our beginning. Then came the era of attempted improvement and the introduction of the mere rudiments of the art.
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