Celebrating Two Historic Documents
The bicentennial of the oldest constitution of
any musical society in the United States was celebrated
at the Stoughton Public Library in Stoughton, Massachusetts
on October 8, 1987, exactly 200 years
after the Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution was approved
and also
the bicentennial of the United Staes Constitution in 1787.
The program was titled, "OLD STOUGHTON and THE GRAND CONSTITUTION."
This bicentennial program included
an original play
by Roger Hall about
the writing of the Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution in 1787.
A video of the complete 1987 program
with readings from the U.S. Constitution
and the one-act play, "THE GRAND CONSTITUTION," with two local actors
and singers from the Old Stoughton Musical Society,
are included in the following collection:
"Old Stoughton and The Grand Constitution" (1987)
Celebrating the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution
and the Stoughton Musical Society (SMS) Constitution,
both written in 1787.
The SMS's Constitution
is the oldest of any music organization in the USA.
The was videotaped at
the Stoughton Public Library
on October 8, 1987.
It includes readings from the U.S. Constitutions
by
school students
and town residents.
The highlight is a one-act play written and directed by
Roger Hall
titled,
"The Grand Constitution."
It features two actors portraying two original members
of the Stoughton Musical Society:
Elijah Dunbar (Wayne Olem) and Samuel Capen (Bert Anderson).
Also a chorus from
the
Old Stoughton Musical Society.
The songs performed are:
"The Grand Constitution" (arr. by Roger Hall)
"Beneath a weeping willow's shade" (Francis Hopkinson)
"The Federal March" (Alexander Reinagle)
"Chester" (William Billings)
"Yankee Doodle" (1788)
"Ode to George Washington" (ed. by Roger Hall)
Here is the opening Preamble to the OSMS Constitution
with Rules and Regulations,
first voted on October 8, 1787
(just a few weeks after the U.S. Constitution was written):
And as the powers of harmonious music are most admirably calculated to
humanize the ferocious passions,
to increase the various emotions of the mind, the different degrees of sensibility
and all the feelings of the heart...
We, therefore, esteem it our duty to study to promote that harmony which is
pleasing to our Maker and so delightful to ourselves. Stimulated with these
salutary and laudable motives, we, whose names are underwritten, form
ourselves in a society by the name of the Stoughton Musical Society, for the
implied purpose of practicing vocal music.
To order the PDF book,
"DEDICATION - Singing Stoughton, 1762-1992
by Roger L. Hall
PineTree Press, 2024, 200 pages
or
the 30 minute video program
with the original play and music performance
"OLD STOUGHTON
and THE GRAND CONSTITUTION" (1987)
put the number 1 in the "Quantity" box for $14.95
To order both the PDF book
AND
the "Old Stoughton and The Grand Constitution" play
put in the number 2 in "Quanity" box
for total of $29.90
Click the "Add to Cart" button below to send in your order
Please note:
"DEDICATION" - Singing in Stoughton"
is only available here
ordered from PayPal.
It will be shipped by US Mail anywhere in the USA.
For shipment to other countries, your order
will be sent directly by Dropbox
via email.
For any questions, write -- here
"A Toast" -
Music of George Washington's Time
"The Star-Spangled Banner" -
Early Songs of Protest and Patriotism
