Music Publications

All the articles, books and videos listed below were researched, written and produced by Roger Hall.

The music titles are divided into five categories:

Historical Monographs

Music Articles

Music Collections and Songbooks

Music Guides

Autobiographical Writings

Altogether, there are 32 music titles and 8 video titles.

For information about ordering, go to:

Music Titles from PineTree Press 

To find out about music programs, click on this link:

Music Lectures and Workshops

Music Titles

Many of the titles below are still available, including cassette tapes or CDRs, and at reasonable prices.

Titles Out-of-Print are marked in Red.

To inquire about ordering any of the in-print titles listed below, write to:

Music Titles

OSMUS Publication No. 1: Old Stoughton Musical Society.  Life and musical career of Stoughton's most accomplished 19th century composer, Edwin Arthur Jones (1853-1911).  Includes several rare photographs. [Monograph is Out-of-Print but CDR is available: "E.A. Jones: His Life and Music"]

2.  SINGING STOUGHTON: Selected Highlights from America's Oldest Choral Society (1985)

OSMUS Publication No. 2:  Old Stoughton Musical Society.  Highlights of music in Stoughton from 1762 to 1985. Includes several illustrations and lists of composers born in Stoughton, concert locations and dates, most performed tunes, and OSMS officers.  [Monograph is Out-of-Print but CDR is avaialable: "Music in Stoughton"]

3.  200th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT PROGRAM (1986)

Commemorative program from the bicentennial concert of the Old Stoughton Musical Society on November 7, 1986, with letters of congratulation from President Ronald Reagan, Governor Michael Dukakis, Congressman Joseph Moakley.  Historical information and photos of the Old Stoughton Musical Society officers and chorus members.

4.  MUSIC IN STOUGHTON - A Brief Survey (1989)

Includes the 25 most significant events between 1762 and 1987. Includes information about the Old Stoughton Musical Society, the oldest choral society in the United States, founded in 1786. Three illustrations, including a new song: "Peace." One hour cassette tape  or CD titled,"Music in Stoughton," is included with the booklet.

5.  MAJESTY: Being a Discussion of Facts and Fiction about William Billings and The Stoughton Musical Society (2000)  

Part One: William Billings - His Life and Music.  Part Two: William Billings and Old Stoughton.  Bibliography, Discography.  Music supplement with 4 Billings tunes and texts, edited and arranged by Roger Hall.  [Monograph is SOLD OUT but a CDR is available: "The Best of William Billings" ]

6.  JOSEPH BRACKETT'S 'SIMPLE GIFTS': Evolution of a Shaker Dance Song (1997; 2nd edition, 2001)

 A new expanded third edition telling the story of the most famous Shaker song from its origin in 1848 until the present day. Includes the original words and music; an exclusive interview with composer Aaron Copland; an extensive Bibliography and list of Recommended Recordings.  CDR also available: "Simple Gifts of Shaker Music."

      Music Articles

  8.  "An Interview with Sir Michael Tippett," in Journal of Church Music, Volume 20/ Number 4 (April 1978).

  9.  "Singing Stoughton," in Journal of Church Music, Volume 22/ Number 1 (January 1980).

10.  "An Interview with Aaron Copland," in Journal of Church Music, Volume 24/ Number 2 (February 1982).

11.  "William Billings of Boston," in Journal of Church Music, Volume 25/ Number 5 (May 1983).

12.  "The Magnificent One: 50 Years of Elmer Bernstein Film Scores," SOUNDTRACK, Volume 20/ Number 76 (Summer 2001).

13.  "Bernard Herrmann: The Early Years," SOUNDTRACK, Volume 21/ Number 81 (Summer 2002).

14.  "Dimitri Tiomkin's Golden Decade," SOUNDTRACK, Volume 21/ Number 84 (Winter 2002).

15.  "Remembering Raksin," FILM SCORE MONTHLY, Volume 9/ Number 8 (September 2004).

16.  "Elmer's Magnificent 7" (Elmer Bernstein Tribute Issue), FILM SCORE MONTHLY, Volume 9/ Number 9 (October 2004).

  Music Collections and Songbooks

Words and music for 12 Shaker spirituals from communities in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.  Illustrations and notes on the music.  Cleveland, Ohio: The Western Reserve Historical Society.  

18.  The Stoughton Musical Society's Centennial Collection of Sacred Music (1980) - Introduction and Index to reprint of the original 1878 edition. New York: DaCapo Press.

19.  The Happy Journey (1982) - Edited collection of 35 Shaker spirituals compiled by Clara Endicott Sears. Harvard, Massachusetts: Fruitlands Museums. 

20.  The Stoughton Songster (1991)

Twelve songs performed between 1980 and 1990. I. Pilgrim Poet ("O Boston"); II. Songs of George Washington's Time (4 songs); III. Songs of Abraham Lincoln's Time (3 songs); IV. Stoughton Songs (4 songs). Includes cassette tape or CDR with all twelve songs on one side, and music by E.A. Jones and Roger Hall on side two of the tape.

21.  Music in Early Canton: Historical Notes and Music (1997)

Information about composers born in Stoughton (now Canton) --including a rare portrait of Supply Belcher (1751-1836).  The collection also has an address from a 1982 concert: "Music of George Washington's Time."  There are several concert programs featuring the Old Stoughton Musical Society, and words and music to four songs: "Thanksgiving Hymn"; "Ode to George Washington"; "The Grand Constitution, or The Palladium of Columbia"; "Yankee Song" (based on Yankee Doodle).  Cassette tape or CDR also available.  

22.  New England Songster (1997)

Eighteen song texts and tunes from 1768 to 1988. Five sections: I. Songs of Liberty; II. Songs of the Tunesmiths; III. Songs of the Shakers; IV. Songs of Remembrance; V. Songs of Patriotism. Cassette tape of all eighteen songs included, plus music by New England composers (George Chadwick, Charles Ives, others).

23.  Ten Town Tunes - Music from Stoughton (1998)

Ten tunes connected to Stoughton, Massachusetts between 1770 and 1990. The composers are: William Billings, Oliver Shaw, Jacob French, Frank W. Reynolds, Edwin Arthur Jones, F. William Kempf, and Roger Hall. One hour cassette tape or CDR contains all ten tunes, plus additional music by Roger Hall.

24.  "COME LIFE, SHAKER LIFE" - The Life and Music of Issachar Bates (2004)

Based on "A Sketch of the Life and Experience of Issachar Bates," completed in 1836.  Also included are eight songs, hymns and anthems written by Elder Issachar Bates, extensive notes and recommended recordings.  Also available is the CDR: "Simple Gifts of Shaker Music."

25. "THE BEST CHOICE": A Sampling of American Communal Hymns (2004; 2nd ed, 2006)

Includes eight representative communal hymns from The Woman in the Wilderness, General Economy (Moravians), Ephrata Cloister, Harmony Society, United Order (Latter Day Saints), Bishop Hill, The Shakers, Hopedale Community.  Also included is a Checklist of Printed Communal Hymnals from 1730 to 1855.   

      Music Guides

Survey of  Christmas music in America from the 18th to 20th centuries.  Accompanying CDR available:  "Chistmas Music in America."

27.   A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores (1997; 2nd revised edition, 2002)

Much useful information about film music from 1926 to 2001. Top 100 movie scores and songs, 1929-1979.  Top 100 movie scores of the 20th century.  Academy Awards and SAMMY Awards. Bibliography and Discography. Autographs of film composers and songwriters.  Accompanying CDR of sample film music is available.

28. A Guide to George Gershwin (1998; 2nd revised edition, 2004)

Handy reference  guide that has an essay ("The Genius of George Gershwin"); Top 40 Gershwin songs; Recommended books and recordings.  Also available on CDR is: "Two Gershwin Radio Tributes."

29. A Guide to Shaker Music - With Music Supplement (1996; 2nd ed, 1997; 3rd ed, 1999; Millennium 4th ed, 2001; 5th ed, 2002; 6th ed, 2006)

Nine chapters of information. Evolution of Shaker music, 1774-1999. Where to find original music and arrangements; tune comparisons; visitor descriptions; bibliography; discography. The music supplement has 15 Shaker texts and tunes, arranged by Roger Hall. Accompanying CDR is available.

30.  Rembering Radio: Great Songwriters and Singers (1998; 2nd edition, 2005)

Introduction; Chronology of radio programs, 1923-1993; 60 popular radio shows originating between 1928 and 1958; radio script: "Do You Remember Radio?"; listening tape selections. Cassette tape or CDR available featuring five great songwriters playing or singing their songs: George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Jerome Kern.  Also other popular songs from 1940's and 1950's.

      Autobiographical Writings

This memoir tells the story of the life of a struggling musician from the 1940s to the 1990s.  His music career began with writing rock n'roll songs in the early 1960s and evolved into writing classical works later on. The chapter titles are:

 I. From Birth to Bakelite Review
II. From Hoppy to High School
III. From Military Service to Marriage
 IV. From College Education to Music Career
  V. From Classical to Folk to Popular Music
       Coda: Family Favorite Survival Songs 

32.  "Following the Stars" - Music and Memories of Hopalong Cassidy (2005)

Compiled for the 70th anniversary of the first Hopalong Cassidy film in 1935, this eBook has chapters devoted to Hopalong Cassidy on TV, on records, songs from the films, and descriptions of several Hopalong Cassidy Festivals in Cambridge, Ohio.  There are 50 illustrations, most of them in color, including sample sheet music covers, photos of Mrs. Hopalong Cassidy (Grace Bradley Boyd), and a photo album from Hopalong Cassidy Festivals between 1995 and 2000.  

Video Titles

To order any video titles, send your request to:

Video Titles

SINGING STOUGHTON (1985-1986)

Two hour videotape, recorded in SP mode. The videotape includes these four half-hour programs:

(1) "Singing Stoughton: The Story of America's Oldest Choral Society" (October, 1985)

(2) "Easter Concert" (Part III) - music by E.A. Jones (March, 1986)

(3) "Sunday School Hymns" - music by Stephen Foster (May, 1986)

(4) "200 Years of Music in Stoughton" (November, 1986)

Originally telecast in the cable TV series: "IN CONCERT" - celebrating the 200th Anniversary Season of the Old Stoughton Musical Society in 1986.

OLD STOUGHTON AND THE GRAND CONSTITUTION (1987)

Half hour videotape. Celebrating the 200th anniversaries of the US Constitution (September 17, 1787) and the Old Stoughton Musical Society Constitution (October 8, 1787).

Readings from the US Constitution by local residents. State Citation presented by Sen. William R. Keating. One act play, "The Grand Constitution," by Roger Hall - featuring Bert Anderson as "Lt. Samuel Capen" and Wayne Olem as "Elijah Dunbar." Music performed by the Old Stoughton Musical Society Singers and Richard Hill, pianist. This one act play was premiered at the Stoughton Public Library, October 8, 1987 -- the 200th Anniversary of Stoughton Musical Society's Constitution (the oldest constitution of any musical organization in America).

THE MUSICAL TELEPHONE (1988)

Half hour videotape.  A one act play in two scenes.  Scene One: Julian West's Sleeping Chamber, May 1887. Scene Two: Dr. Leete's Home, September 2000. Featured actors: Greg Bazaz as "Julian West" and Dorothy Yanish as "Edith Leete." Music by E.A. Jones ("Prelude in G minor" for organ; "Waltz in Eb Major" for piano); and Roger Hall ("Telephone Tune"; "Peace"; "Simple Gifts" ; "The Dark Night is Ending"). The play was written and directed by Roger Hall.

This play is based on portions of Edward Bellamy's utopian novel, Looking Backward, published in 1888 and about the narrator who travels ahead to Boston in the year 2000, and looks backward upon his time. Play premiered at the Bellamy Centennial Conference, Emerson College, Boston, September 29, 1988.

A  STOUGHTON MUSICFEST: A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL COMPOSERS & MUSICIANS (1990)

One hour videotape, recorded in SP mode. Narrator: Marion Wroble of WBET radio. Actor Skip Maloney portraying Boston tunesmith, William Billings (1746-1800), teaching a singing school of young singers.

Performers include: Elizabeth Trueblood,soprano; Carol Mezzanotte, alto; Sally MacKerron, tenor; Roger Hall, bass. The accompaniment provided by Donna Hieken, flute; and Richard Hill, piano.  Also featured was a 30 voice chorus from all six elementary schools, directed by Carol Mezzanotte; and a High School Band Ensemble, directed by Ron Christianson. Presented at Stoughton Public Library on May 10, 1990.

To order the above music titles or video titles, go to:

Music Titles from PineTree Press

Or send an email request to:

PineTree Music