25th anniversary for the CAMP!

Welcome to this newly expanded page about
making American music come alive again!

 

 

 

The Center for American Music Preservation (CAMP) was established to help preserve historical American music from the past
by providing information about it so it will survive into the future. It has been a web resource since 1998.
Though it does not provide information in all areas of American music, it remains an extensive resource
for topics in the five main areas listed at the top right of this page.

Attention All Teachers and Researchers!

The information and recordings available from the CAMP can be of use to you in your teaching or for your research when writing a book or article.
If you have a special area of interest and wish to inquire if material is available, write to the CAMP -- click here

The CAMP needs your support

The Center for American Music Preservation (CAMP) is an agency which has received no outside government or corporate funding.
It is in need of support for it to continue as an free informational website.

You can help support the CAMP by ordering this highly-rated CD.
It features piano music from American composers plus a few vocal selections,
including a rare recording of the poignant hymn sung at President Abraham Lincoln's funeral in 1865,
"Farewell Father, Friend and Guardian" --

To read how to order this AMRC CD -- go here

 

CAMP Director

A Shaker Music Miscellany - NEW publication!

Singing School in Old Stoughton

Beethoven in Early Boston

Peace Jubilees in 19th Century Boston

American Music Guide Series - 4 titles

American Music Research Series (AMRS) - 6 titles

American Popular Music Series (APMS) - 2 titles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

Roger Lee Hall is a musicologist and American Music Preservationist (AMP),
who has researched and written about American music for over 50 years.

 

For his extensive work in music preservation, he has been listed in directories
including International Who's Who in Music, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World -- click here

See the list of his 60 titles in the PineTree Multimedia Editions series -- click here

He is also an ASCAP composer with over 100 works.
See his compositions published exclusively by PineTree Music -- click here

In addition, for the past 25 years, he has been Managing Editor of Film Music Review

See the list of his numerous music lectures and workshops -- go here

 

Two Upcoming Webinars

Roger Hall will be hosting a special 2 hour illustrated webinar on 26 September 2024 for the New York Adventure Club.

To register for this illustrated webinar click this direct link to eventbrite -- "The Golden Age of New York's Radio Disc Jockeys"

 

"Otto Kahn: A Personal Connection with the Gilded Age Music Patron"

Otto H. Kahn (1867-1934) was one of America's wealthiest citizens in the early 20th century and his beautiful Oheka Castle was the second largest private residence in America and is now the largest private residence which has been restored after being almost completerly destroyed by vandals.

Otto spent considerable time and money in support of music and other arts. He was a major supporter of the Metropolitan Opera in New York in its early years and brought major opera people from Europe, especially the famous Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso. Kahn also helped support many musicians and actors on Broadway, including composer, George Gershwin, and actor, Paul Robeson.

This virtual program is sponsored by the NY Adventure Club and presented by Roger Lee Hall, Director of the Center for American Music Preservation (CAMP) who celebrates the 70th anniversary when he was a resident in Oheka Castle as a cadet in Eastern Military Academy and first sang in the glee club in 1954. Also when he sang at the Friends of Oheka Garden Party in 2004.

Over the years he has researched the life of the Kahn family including Roger Wolfe Kahn.

To register for this fully illustrated webinar on 17 October 2024 from eventbrite -- click here

 

 

 

 

 

Roger Hall was the guest on the "Your History Your Story" podcast speaking with James Gardner.

Click on any of these links to listen to this special audio program: "Making American Music Come Alive Again"

Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-history-your-story/id1535889414?i=1000611257078

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4mS6z5JjFwUapMnp3jk5XJ?si=lYjF4XNiT7iHmZmD7qCF9w

YouTube
https://youtu.be/aPlzapgMVkM

Support YHYS Podcast & become a patron! 

http://patreon.com/YourHistoryYourStoryPodcast

 

Gentle Peace: Songs For Survival (PineTree Press, 2023)

To read about his latest book -- click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

New publication celebrating music of the American Shakers

This years marks the 250th anniversary of when Mother Ann Lee and a few other Shakers first arrived in America after a long and dangerous sea voyage from England. They landed in New York City on August 6, 1774. That date was celebrated by the Shakers over their centuries of music-making in America.

Though they may be best known today for their beautiful and simple furniture and other artifacts, their music was far more important to them.
From the 18th to 20th centuries, they composed thousands of anthems, hymns and songs, more than any communal sect in America.

Almost all of their music was vocal. Their first tunes were wordless and later they added texts and also wrote music in three and four-part harmony.
Beause they are often lively and inspirationally received from those who had passed on, their music is best classified as "Shaker spirituals."

Some of the earliest religious vocal music composed by women in America was by the Shakers,
including their most revered spiritual leader, Mother Ann Lee (1736-1784).

"On the Landing of Mother Ann in America" is one of the hymns in this new collection, the 20th one in the Shaker Music Series.
Also on this DVD-ROM is information about their best-known song, "Simple Gifts" (aka: Tis the gift to be simple),
including interviews with Shaker singers and composer, Aaron Copland.
To read about this new collection -- go here

 

Here is the highly rated recording featuring some of the earliest religious music written by women in America,
including by their most important spiritual leader, Mother Ann Lee (1736-1784):

© AMRC CD 0048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PDF book from PineTree Press

 

 

 

 

200th anniversary of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

Beethoven in Early Boston

His 9th Symphony was premiered in Vienna, Austria in 1824
and in Boston, Massachusetts in 1853.
See the First Performances of his music in Boston -- click here

 

 

Peace Jubilees in 19th Century Boston organized by Patrick S. Gilmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your support is needed to help support the Center for American Music Preservation.

Please consider ordering any of these limited edition CDs with American classical, folk
or pop music:

Classical music

AMERICAN PLACES - Musical Travels

 

Folk spirituals

CELESTIAL PRAISES - A Celebration of Shaker Spirituals

 

 

Popular songs

"It's Magic" - One Hundredth Birthday Celebration of Sammy Cahn

 

 

 

Each limited edition CD is $25.00 (USA only).

For any countries outside of the USA,
click the "Quantity" button on PayPal TWO TIMES ($50.00).

Shipping is included at no extra charge.

Your order is payable to PineTree Productions through safe and secure PayPal.

 

 

Click on this "Add to Cart" button...

 

 

 

 

Important!

 

After you have placed your order,
please indicate which CD(s) you have ordered
and include your mailing address for proper shipping.

Send your information to:

AMRC CDs

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singing in Old Stoughton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 also marks the 250th anniversary of the First Singing School in America with all the pupils listed.

It was taught in 1774 by Boston composer, William Billings (1746-1800). The black & white picture shows the house which was originally the tavern of Robert Capen built in 1747. It was here where the Billings singing school was held. That house was later moved and extensively remodeled and it still stands near Stoughton Center.

Billings was the best known New England composer in 18th century America. His Stoughton singing school had 49 pupils, consisting of young males and females. One of his singing school pupils later became a choral composer, Jacob French (1754-1817).

In that singing school, Billings also met his future wife, Lucy Swan, and they lived in Boston.

 

 

Did you know the oldest choral society began in 1786 before the U.S. Constitution was approved?

 

Read about the singing meetings and concerts by this Massachusetts choral society
in -- "Dedication - Singing in Stoughton"

 

Read about William Billings - Father of American Choral Music

 

 

 

 

American Music Guide Series = 4 titles

 

 

No. 1 - A Guide to Film Music: Songs and Scores

 

No. 2 - "Celebrate, Rejoice and Sing!" - A Guide to Christmas Music in America

 

No. 3 - A Guide to George Gershwin - Radio and Films

 

 

 

No. 4 - "Invitation to Zion" - A Guide to Shaker Music

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Music Research Series (AMRS) = 6 titles

 

No. 1: "A Toast" - Music of George Washington's Time

 

 

No. 2: "Angel of Peace" - Music in Old Boston

No. 3: "Gentle Words": The Meaning and Message of Shaker Music

 

 

 

It is not commonly known that in addition to his many popular songs,
Stephen Foster also composed a group of beautiful hymns during the Civil War years.
Some of these hymns are available in First Recordings on a multimedia disc titled,

No. 4: "Glory, Hallelujah" - Songs and Hymns of the Civil War Era

 

 

 

No. 5: "Lincoln and Liberty" - Music From Abraham Lincoln's Time

 

 

 

No. 6: "LAND OF OUR HEARTS": From Pilgrims To Patriots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Popular Music Series (APMS) = 2 titles

No. 1: Bill Randle and Electric Elvis

A program was presented by Roger Lee Hall in September 2023, co-sponsored by The Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights Public Library,
celebrating the centennial of the birth of popular Cleveland disc jockey, Bill Randle (1923-2004).

He was the teaching assistant of Bill Randle in the 1970s. At that time he told Roger about a movie short which featured the first professional footage of Elvis Presley when he was performing in Cleveland in 1955. Dr. Randle also produced a large 10 LP album set, "The Shaker Heritage," which had recorded information about Shaker history, religion, poetry, music and other topics. This LP collection was never released commercially. Many years later, Roger Hall edited the music portion of that LP set and wrote extensive notes for a 72 page illustrated booklet that accompanies the 2-CD which received rave reviews and was titled:

To watch the 90 minute Zoom program, "Bill Randle in Cleveland: From Electric Elvis to The Shakers" with audio and video clips on YouTube -- click here

This program was based on the book now available in an illustrated 2nd edition:

To read about this PDF book -- click here

 

One of the longest-running web resources for facts about
the early career of Elvis Presley -- click here

 

 

 

No. 2: Popular Songwriters and The American Songbook

Popular American Songwriters and Lyricists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A valuable series of American music

 

 

Composers shown above:
Supply Belcher, Stephen Foster. E.A. Jones, Amy Beach

Earlier American Composers:
Survey In Sound, 1759-1919

4 volumes with music examples
by 16 American composers,
including chamber music and choral music,
all together on one multimedia CD-ROM.

Read about this extensive audio collection -- click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Recorded Choral Archive (ARCA)

American Recorded Choral Archive

 

 

 

 

Honor Roll

We are grateful for any donations received to help support the Center for American Music Preservation.

These names from the past century have been added to the CAMP Honor Roll for their music activities:

 

Sister Ruth Mildred Barker

Gregory Erickson

Earl Eyrich

Randy Folger

John D. Herr

David P. McKay

Sister Bertha Lillian Phelps

George Walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample AMRC CD releases

AMRC 0001: MAJESTY: Best of William Billings

 

 

AMRC 0005: A Conversation with Aaron Copland

 

 

 

AMRC 0013: "Swanee" -
A Century of American Song, 1819-1919

 

 

AMRC 0018: Oscar Meets Sammy:
Film Music On Radio

 

 

 

 

AMRC 0021: John Williams Radio Tributes

 

 

World Premiere Recording!

AMRC 0029: Song of Our Saviour, Op. 16 (1881)
A Cantata by Edwin Arthur Jones
for Soloists, Chorus, Orchestra and Organ

 

 

 

AMRC 0033: Simple Gifts -
A Shaker Song Revisited

 

 

 

Premiere Recordings!

AMRC 0040: Five American Women Composers

 

 

 

AMRC 0041: "CHESTER" -
Music in Old New England, 1778-1878
(radio documentary)

AMRC 0045: "The Star-Spangled Banner" -
Early Songs of Protest and Patriotism

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the complete list of AMRC CDs -- click here

 

 

 

 

This popular webinar will be presented again in October 2024 by the New York Adventure Club

Otto Hermann Kahn (1867-1934) was one of America's wealthiest citizens in the early 20th century and was called "King of New york" for his support of so many artists. His beautiful Oheka Castle was the second largest private residence in America. He spent considerable time and money in support of music. He was a major supporter of the Metropolitan Opera in New York in its early years and brought major opera people from Europe, especially the famous Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso, and conductor, Arturo Toscaninni.

Kahn also helped support many musicians and actors on Broadway, including composer, George Gershwin, and actor, Paul Robeson.

A virtual program has been presented by Roger Hall with information about Otto Kahn plus audio and video examples for the New York Adventure Club. His program was titled:

"Otto Kahn: A Personal Connection with the Gilded Age Music Patron"

Mr. Hall has extensively researched the life of Otto Kahn and especially his music connections
including his son, Roger Wolfe Kahn, who had his own jazz orchestra in the 1920s and co-wrote the popular song, "Crazy Rhythm."

These are some of the comments made by those who watched this webinar in the past few years:

"Roger Hall’s personal experience with Oheka Castle and all the history he imparted -marvelous and so enlightening! Thank you for the opportunity to watch this webinar!" -Kathryn

"Lots of great pictures. Very interesting. Cute touch. And loved the music. It got my feet tapping." -Connie

"Hall is passionate and personal! Wonderful lecture! Thank you! -Mary

"Very good material and clear explanation. Most interesting" -Robert

"Having grown up less than a mile from Oheka, I still learned things from this event." -Ellen

"Roger Hall was extremely knowledgeable about Otto Kahn and the arts scene in the early 20th century. The pictures and music in his presentation made the webinar come alive." -Marsha

"Learning new things about History of famous New Yorkers and beautiful places!" -Alba

"I liked the photos of Kahn's homes, back story knowledge." -Elizabeth

"Very thorough and learned a lot more than I already knew about Otto Khan." -Jessica

"Very informative. Lots of visual aids. Host really knew the subject matter." -Nancy

"Great usage of media, video, pictures. Loved the personal connection of speaker to Oheka." -Jen

"I loved the presenter's personal connection to one of the properties." -Kerri

"I liked the details about Otto Kahn and his family plus the various homes Kahn owned." -Joanna

"The presenter was excellent and knew his facts. The webinar was quite broad in detail such as music facts, the life of Otto Kahn as well as his son and then Oheka castle itself." -Susan

"I liked the addition of the music and the lecturer's experiences at the military academy." -Ann

Order this pdf book now available for a low price!

Read about Kahn's beautiful Oheka Castle and Roger Hall's residence there when it was a military academy -- go here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three 20th century American Music People:

 

Leoonard Bernstein: The Total Musician

 

 

The Bill Randle Chronicles

 

Oscar-winning lyricist, Sammy Cahn