THE JUBILEE: AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF CHURCH MUSIC FOR THE CHOIR, THE CONGREGATION, AND THE SINGING-SCHOOL. Mur 490 4 58:3 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by WILLIAM B. BRADBURY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. To Teachers of Sacred Music, Choristers, Choirs, and Classes, and to the Musical Public generally, whose favorable regards he has 1860, Feb. j. had abundant occasion to acknowledge, this book is most respectfully inscribed by Or the various Collections of Church Music in which the editor of the present work has been engaged, viz.: "THE PSALMODIST," published in 1844-"THE CHORALIST," in 1847 -"THE MENDELSSOHN COLLECTION," in 1849-"PSALMISTA," in 1851-and "THE SHAWM," in 1853, the last-named has perhaps proved the most extensively useful. Encouraged, and grateful for past success, and the mission of good that he hopes has already been accomplished, he has made it his constant study to ascertain the present wants of the musical public at large, including the Elementary Singing School, the Choir, and the Congregation. "THE JUBILEE" is the result of his experience and observation during the last four years. The material of which it is composed has been increasing upon his hands during this time; and, unless he greatly errs in judgment, it will be found to excel, by far, any former efforts. He certainly was never before so favorably situated never received so many words of encouragement, and never were half so many willing hands extended to aid him; for all which his warmest thanks are tendered. To aid in the selection of tunes, a number in the first part of the work will be found designated as "Choir Tunes," Congregational Tunes," etc., etc., not that the author would assume to dictate what a choir or congregation should or can sing, for of that matter they are themselves the sole arbiters; but simply to hint to the leader that a tune so marked, is, in his judgment, one of a class well adapted to “Choir" or "Congregational" use, etc., etc. Besides a great variety of Psalmody in all meters, numerous short pieces, such as Hymn Chants, short Metrical Pieces, Introits, Opening and Closing Pieces, and short Anthems adapted to the various occasions of public worship, will be found. And to these is added an unusual variety of larger Choruses, Anthems, etc., for Concerts and various other public occasions. Variety of styles, rich and natural harmonies, and pleasing and graceful melodies, it is believed, will be found leading characteristics of "THE JUBILEE." While the artistic singer and choir have not been neglected, the wants of the people-"ALL THE PEOPLE"have been mainly considered and provided for-for they are especially called upon to "praise the Lord." THE AUTHOR. hence useful, must be attractive to the popular ear. It must be a thing of life, possessing a character of its own; and if happily wed to poetry of a congenial temper (to continue the simile), it may stand the test. It must please, not merely upon its introduction, but also upon a more familiar acquaintance. Some tunes, like some persons, make a favorable impression at first, but soon become insipid; they have no depth-they are all surface. Like sight-friends, such tunes are not to be trusted. Others, apparently less prepossessing, improve on acquaintance, and you soon become fast friends. Nothing can be more evident than the fact that in the composition of devotional music, the soul of the composer must be filled with the spirit of the psalm or hymn he undertakes to clothe with melody and harmony. His music must be, as it were, the outgushing of the poetical sentiment expressing itself more eloquently and powerfully, by the aid of song-language, than it can do through its own simply. The most popular and useful tunes are those that seem to have composed themselves, or to have sprung up spontaneously from the beautiful language of the poetry, or to have been, from the first, a necessity, and not a mere appendage to the poetry. Again, music to devotional poetry should be duly modest, not attracting so much to itself as to detract from the sentiment whose help-mate it is designed to be. Through its gentleness and modest beauty, it should ever impress more strongly the tender sentiments of devotion, confession, penitence, and humble adoration with which it is laden. And when, at other times, it has occasion to break forth "In loud and joyful song," let it still be remembered that mere noise is not music. Let the singing, in no instance, be so rapid as to be undignified, so loud as to be boisterous, or so slow as to be dull and heavy. Whether in this work the views herein expressed have been successfully carried out, must be left to those who sing the music to judge. One thing is asked, viz.: that the Teacher, Chorister, or private singer, who takes up this work for examination, would try CONGREGATIONAL SINGING.-In immediate connection with the permanent establish- the tunes thoroughly before deciding upon their merits; and if any are found that wil ment of a good Choir, the practice of Congregational Singing is strongly advocated; and not bear the test of frequent repetition, let them be discarded. It is also suggested that as it is evidently a part of every chorister's duty to encourage and facilitate this mode of the singer who reads what is written in the paragraph preceding might do well to ask if public worship, he is urged to introduce, every Sabbath, and at every service, one tune at some of the same characteristics therein mentioned as essential to a good tune, are not least that is familiar to the congregation; and if sufficient interest is manifested on the equally essential to a GOOD SINGER. Certainly, without the cultivation of a spirit becompart of minister and people to warrant the movement, let Congregational Singing Meeting an humble worshiper, no one, though he possess the voice of an angel, can ever se ings, for the practice of such tunes as scem desirable to use on the Sabbath, be established. interpret the sentiments of the devout poet or successful composer as to be able to sing te POPULAR TUNES.-A tune, to become a favorite either with choir or congregation, and the edification either of himself or of others. A large portion of the Music in "THE JUBILER" is COPYRIGHT PROPERTY, and compilers and publishers are cautioned against using it without permission ELECTROTYPED BY T. B. SMIE & SON. PRINTED BY C. A. ALVORD. § III "SYLLABLES" like the following are used to assist the beginner in reading music, i. e., producing the right tones. When all the sounds of the scale have been made familiar by practice, these "syllables," (which are mere helps to the beginner), may be partially or wholly dropped, and one syllable, (La,) or the words ordinarily set to the music, may be used instead. SYLLABLES, as Written. Do, RE, Mr, FA, SOL, LA, SI, Do. SYLLABLES, as Pronounced. Do, Ray, Mee, Fah, Sole, Lah, See, Do. NUMERALS, or Names. 5 6 7 8. 1 2 3 and upon this the characters representing the Scale and other musical exercises and tunes are written. THE STAFF. PRACTICAL EXERCISES. NOTE. In the following Exercises, the teacher will give the pitch generally, as indicated by the numeral 1, (supposing the clef and signature to be the e,) simply saying to the class, "Now Do (1) is on the lowest (or first) line." "Now between the first and second lines," &c. By thus frequently changing the position of the scale, the beginner learns from the first to regard the intervals in their relative position, irrespective of any given space upon the staff. This we deem of much importance in teaching the art of reading music vocally. (In learning to play upon an instrument the case is different.) After getting some practical idea of what reading music is-by the preparatory exercises that follow-the pupil will easily understand and appreciate the importance of fixed sounds, as indicated by the letters and clefs. ONE THING AT A TIME," must be the successful teacher's motto. No. 1.-THE SCALE UPON THE STAFF. 6 7 REPRESENTATION OF THE SCALE, WITH SYLLABLES AND NUMERALS. Numerals. 1 2 3 4 5 SING, ascending and descending. 02 e Do, S1, La, Sol, Fa, Mi, Re, 2 5 6 7 8. 8 7 6 5 4 3 (SING.). 1. Numerals. Syllables. Do, Re, Mi, Fa. Sol, La, Si, Do. Do. Si, La, Sol, Fa, Mi, Re, Do. That peace on earth, and joy may reign To heaven we pray. A-men, A-men. ***Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise him, all creatures here below. |