The Singing School: An American Tradition

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memorization. The ninth edition of the Bay Psalm Book, published in
1698, was the first edition published with tunes. This edition had printed the
letters F-S-L-M, representing the solmization syllables fa, sol, la, and mi,
under the notes. This indicates that there was a familiarity with and an
interest in music instruction as applied to psalmody.
It was not until the early 18th century, however, that as a direct
result of agitation by ministers for a reformation in congregational singing,
arguments were advanced promoting regular singing and the eventual establishment
of singing schools.
The singing school grew out of the employment by the churches in New
England of regular singing. Records indicate that the first singing school was
probably established in Boston, the most advanced town in New England, around
1720.
The singing school gradually spread throughout New England during the
next twenty-five years. Throughout the eighteenth century, the scope and span of
the ...

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