Missouri Harmony

The Missouri Harmony (St Louis, Missouri:  published by Allen Carden*, printed in Cincinnati, Ohio: Morgan, Lodge, & Co., 1820) is a ‘Choice Collection of Psalm Tunes, Hymns, and Anthems, selected from the most eminent authors and well adapted to all Christian Churches, singing schools, and private societies. Together with an Introduction to grounds of music, the rudiments of music, and plain rules for beginners’. Carden compiled Missouri Harmony, a four shape-note collection similar in format and content to Ananias Davisson*’s Kentucky Harmony, for use in his singing school in St Louis, Missouri.  Although the singing school did not flourish, the tunebook was very successful, with nine...