video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ffyhSbX9U

This clip is a group, Dolcy Jones, playing music from the 19^th century. The group was formed in 2003, but they wear costumes and make sets so it appears as if they were from the 1800s. Dolcy Jones is playing in the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, which has black walnut paneling that was actually from the 1860s. The singers are Susan Hugelmeyer, soprano; Lisa Kelly, alto; Dan Entriken, tenor; and Arthur Kirmss, bass. The song sung in this clip was written in Brooklyn and New York City.

4 Bios

William Billings

William Billings is considered by many to have been the first American composer. He also wrote the first collection of songs written solely by an American composer. He influenced American folk music greatly. 4 Bios

Billings was born on October 7, 1746 in Boston. He became a tanner when he grew up, and was friends with Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Billings then taught himself how to play and read music. He composed a variety music from different genres; he wrote hymns, anthems, psalms, and fuging tunes. A fuging tune is “a form of hymnody developed by American composers.” Not only were his genres varied, but he also could convey different emotions through his songs. From the feeling of glory to sadness to a comedic twist to the sobering feeling of a canon being shot, Billings easily maneuvered through the difficulties of being a musician. In addition to all this, Billings also supposedly was without an eye and a leg. Billings’ music was “noted for its rhythmic vitality, freshness, and straightforward harmonies.” Two of the hymns he wrote, “The Rose of Sharon” and “Anthem for Easter,” were two of the most popular early hymns in America. He published six songbooks, including The New-England Psalm-Singer, The Singing Master’s Assistant, and The Continental Harmony. The Singing Master’s Assistant was also known as “Billings’ Best.”

William Billings was an important figure in the past of American music. The first American composer, he led the way for everyone who would follow. Billings, despite teaching himself music as well as lacking an eye and a leg, persevered to write six books of songs. A large influence on the music of his time, Billings greatly helped to develop American music.

"William Billings." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 05 Dec. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65419/William-Billings>.

John Knowles Paine

John Knowles Paine is considered to be one of the greatest composers of all time. He composed many symphonies that were played all over the world. Especially for his time, this is an impressive feat.

Born on January 9, 1839 in Portland Maine, Paine began to learn music. His teacher was Hermann Kotzchmar. Paine first performed as an organist in 1857. The following year, he moved to Germany to expand his studies. There, he learned about the organ, composition, instrumentation, and singing. Paine played many concerts in Germany, and then moved back to the United States. Upon his arrival, he earned the title of instructor of music at Harvard, and in 1872 was appointed full title professor of music. Paine was the first person to hold that position. Paine’s first symphony was introduced by Theodore Thomas on January 6, 1876 in Boston. Some of Paine’s compositions are “Edipus Tyrannus,” “The Centennial Hymn,” “Phoebus, arise,” “A Song of Promise,” “Spring symphony,” and an overture to Shakespeare’s “As you Like It.”

John Knowles Paine composed many famous songs and was an international composer. He had many different teachers, diversifying his music. Working in Germany, he helped to include a German twist to his music. John Knowles Paine was a large influence on American music and helped to expand the United States’ music repertoire.

"John Knowles Paine." Hall of North and South Americans. Web. 06 Dec. 2009. .

Francis Scott Key

Franis Scott Key was the author of our National Anthem. The only song he wrote, Key died a one-hit-wonder. However, his accomplishment still affects people today, and his song is probably played many times each day.

Key was born on August 1, 1779 in Maryland. At the age of ten, he was sent away to Annapolis to go to grammar school. After graduating, Key remained in Annapolis to study law and work with his uncle’s firm. By age 26, he had his own successful practice in Georgetown, Washington D.C. He soon gained the title of United States District Attorney. Key was extremely religious, one time stopping his law practice to join the clergy. His other great love was for his country. For this reason, despite the fact that he despised the War of 1812, he enlisted in the Georgetown field artillery. During the war, the British captured Key’s close friend, William Beanes. A great lawyer, Key was enlisted to assist Colonel John Skinner, who worked for prisoner exchanges, to free Beanes. The British agreed to release Beanes; however, the three could not return to the mainland until after the British had bombed Fort McHenry. The bombardment continued for 25 hours, and when the bombing ceased, Key glanced up to see if the American flag was still there. He then wrote a poem, called “Defence of Fort McHenry,” later to be renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was a common patriotic song, and became the national anthem in 1931. Sadly, Key passed away on January 11, 1843 of pleurisy when he went to Baltimore to visit his daughter.

Francis Scott Key greatly affected this country. Thanks to him, the “Star-Spangled Banner” is our national anthem. All across the nation there are monuments to recognize what he did for the USA.

"Fort McHenry - Francis Scott Key." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. Web. 06 Dec. 2009. .

Julia Ward Howe

An activationist, a suffragist, and a poet, Julia Ward Howe gained fame by writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Not only did she write what was considered to be the anthem for the Civil War, but she also fought for women’s rights, far ahead of her time.

Howe had six children, read and spoke seven languages, and had works of writing, including poems, published. She had a career as an activist, author, teacher, and preacher. Her most famous poem was “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” It was played to the tune of John Brown’s Body and made Howe a famous figure in America. Writing this song was not her only accomplishment, however. She also fought for women’s rights and led the struggle for abolition, Women’s Suffrage, and world peace. Far ahead of her time, people are still just realizing some of her ideas.

Julia Ward Howe certainly changed America. She fought for women’s rights and wrote what was considered to be an anthem for the United States. “Battle Hymn of the Republic” gained Howe fame, and with that fame she tried to help women everywhere. “Battle Hymn of the Republic was an extremely popular song, especially during the civil war, and many people still know the song today.

Julia Ward Howe - Home. Web. 06 Dec. 2009. .

Online Databases

"Billings, William (1746–1800)." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

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Ewen, David. "Cohan, George Michael (1878–1942)." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

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"Heinrich, Anthony Philip (1781–1861)." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

Howard, John Tasker. "Yankee Doodle." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

"Indians, American: North American—Arts, Religion, and Folklore." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

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Nettl, Bruno. "Folk Music, American." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

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Smiley, David L. "Dixie." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 2 Dec. 2009 .

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Tuleja, Tad. "Star-Spangled Banner, The." ELibrary. 1 Jan. 1994. Web. 2 Dec. 2009.

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EBook Books

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Curtis, Susan. "Joplin, Scott (1868-1917)." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Vol. 2. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. 566-568. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

Ellingson, Ter. "Music: Music and Religion." Encyclopedia of Religion. Ed. Lindsay Jones. Vol. 9. 2^nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 6248-6256. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

Escoffier, Jeffrey. "Social Dancing." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Vol. 4. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. 450-452. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

"Joplin, Scott 1868-1917." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, Victor Bondi, Richard Layman, Tandy McConnell, and Vincent Tompkins. Vol. 1: 1900-1909. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

"Maryland." Blackbirch Kid's Visual Reference of the United States. San Diego: Blackbirch Press, 2003. 130-135. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

Maxwell, William. "Honduran Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America. Ed. Jeffrey Lehman. Vol. 2. 2^nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 844-852. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

"Music: The Pop Century Begins." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, Victor Bondi, Richard Layman, Tandy McConnell, and Vincent Tompkins. Vol. 1: 1900-1909. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

Susan Curtis, Dancing to a Black Mans Tune: A Life of Scott Joplin (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1994).

"United States." Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays. Ed. Robert H. Griffin and Ann H. Shurgin. Vol. 4. Detroit: UXL, 2000. 458-475. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

"United States." Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays. Ed. Robert H. Griffin and Ann H. Shurgin. Vol. 1. Detroit: UXL, 2000. 57-68. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .

"United States." Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays. Ed. Robert H. Griffin and Ann H. Shurgin. Vol. 3. Detroit: UXL, 2000. 310-320. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. MANCHESTER ESSEX SR HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2009 .