Choirs and hymns in the USA

Choirs and Hymns, USA The European settlers in what is now the USA brought with them their hymns, hymnals and Psalters, depending upon their European religious traditions and practices.  In early America, hymn singing was an activity that often occurred outside of worship as well as during worship. There was not much to do during what little leisure time was available and in Puritan New England the singing school became a popular pastime.  Often led by itinerant musicians, among whom William Billings* may be the best known, these singing schools met in public places, including pubs, to practice the singing of the psalms and learn new tunes.  Often the ‘students’ of these singing schools...