Baker, B. F.; Perkins, W. O. The Choral Harmony; A Collection of Hymn Tunes, Chants, Sentences, Motets, and Anthems. Selected and Arranged from the Works of Ancient and Modern Masters, together with Many Original Compositions. Boston: Brown, Taggard and Chase, 1859. [11147]
Leather spine, printed tan paper boards (hardcover), oblong 6 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches, back board stained. 384 pages, tight; last 40 leaves or so stained (please see photos for an example). Good. Hardcover.
"The hymn tunes for men's voices will be found useful in College Choirs, as well as the Masonic Institution, and such other meetings, where soprano voices are not available. In the department of Chants, in addition to the service of the Protestant Episcopal Church, the patrons of the Choral Harmony will find a variety at once pleasing and practical, and to which hymns of irregular metre may be easily adapted." - Preface.
The first 58 pages are instructions in voice and singing. The music is in round notes.
Benjamin Franklin Baker (1811-1889), b. Wenham, Ma. A music teacher in public schools, the principal of the Boston Music School, for six years the Vice-President of the Handel and Hayden Society, Boston. As a composer he was prolific. He edited a large number of church music, school instruction, glee, and other music books.
William Oscar Perkins (1831-1902), b. Stockbridge, VT; d. Boston, MA. William and his brother Henry were sons of musical parents and they were trained in music by their father. William attended the Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, and then studied music in Boston, in London, and in Milan, Italy. He returned to Boston and founded a music academy. Hamilton College awarded him a Doctor of Music degree in 1879. An author, composer, editor and compiler, W. O. Perkins published 33 hymnals between 1859 and 1882.
