First Published in 1998. This series presents the music of early American composers of sacred music—psalmody, as it was called—in collected critical editions. Each volume has been prepared by a scholar who has studied the musical history of the period and the stylistic qualities of the composer. The purpose of the series is to present the music of important early American composers in accurate editions for both performance and study. This volume presents selected music by one of the best known and most prolific composers of New England psalmody during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Oliver Holden was a native and life-long resident of Massachusetts.

Baptists have a long and rich heritage of congregational song. The hymns Baptists have sung and the books from which they have sung them have been shaping forces for Baptist theology, worship, and piety. Baptist authors and composers have provided songs that have made an impact not only among Baptists in America but also across denominational and geographic lines. Congregational singing continues to be a key component of Baptist worship in the twenty-first century. Beginning with an overview of the British background, this book is a survey of the history of Baptist hymnody in America from Baptist beginnings in the New World to the present. Its intent is to help the reader better understand the background against which current Baptist congregational song practices operate. Unlike earlier writings on the subject, this book provides both comprehensive coverage and a continuous narrative. It gives thorough attention to the major Baptist bodies in America as well as calling attention to the contributions of significant smaller groups. The British Baptist background is dealt with in an introductory section. The book also includes many texts and tunes as illustrations of the topics being discussed and focuses on some of the contributions of Baptist authors and composers to the repertory of congregational song. Book jacket.

First Published in 1998. This series presents the music of early American composers of sacred music—psalmody, as it was called—in collected critical editions. Each volume has been prepared by a scholar who has studied the musical history of the period and the stylistic qualities of the composer. The purpose of the series is to present the music of important early American composers in accurate editions for both performance and study. This volume presents selected music by one of the best known and most prolific composers of New England psalmody during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Oliver Holden was a native and life-long resident of Massachusetts.

Jacob French, a student of William Billings, was one of the most talented postrevolutionary composers of Protestant sacred music in New England. He compiled most of his music in three printed tunebooks, comprising choral pieces of great rhythmic and contrapuntal variety. He felt many excellently crafted, expressive compositions that should find interest among today's choral directors and singers.