Psalmody Movement
Encyclopedia
The Psalmody Movement is a general term often used to cover a remarkable period of mass musical education in Britain having its roots in the dissenting congregational church singing organisations of late 18th century in regional Scotland and Northern England, which, by the mid-19th century, had become a vibrant metropolitan cultural institution, coinciding with radical developments in broader national schools policy, the latter owing much to the teaching methods used by the psalmody singing schools. It is sometimes also referred to as the 'choral revival'. The names most often associated with the 'movement' in Britain are John Curwen
(1816–1880), Sarah Ann Glover
(1785–1867) and John Pyke Hullah
(1812–24), However it had its philosophical roots in Europe, particularly in the social idealism of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
.
In Bernarr Rainbow
's words 'As a result of the series of weekly massed singing classes introduced at Exeter Hall
under government sanction, the people of London became more musically conscious between 1841 and 1843 than they had ever been.' Already known for his work among working men in Paris, Joseph Mainzer (1801-1851), had come to England in 1841 with his 'Singing for the Million' ideal of opening up musical education to the masses, by which period, however, Hullah had already established his own hugely successful classes in London at Exeter Hall. They were based on the system of popular musical education through choral singing devised by Paris School Inspector and musician, Guillaume Wilhem, the founder of the famous 'Orphéon' choral fests which had rapidly spread throughout France. Hullah's program had initially been designed as a school for the instruction of music masters of day and Sunday schools, but proved to be highly popular among the general public who flocked to Exeter Hall.
Wilhem's
John Curwen
Reverend John Curwen was an English Congregationalist minister, and founder of the Tonic sol-fa system of music education. He was educated at Wymondley College and University College London.-Tonic sol-fa:...
(1816–1880), Sarah Ann Glover
Sarah Ann Glover
Sarah Ann Glover was an English music educator who invented the Norwich sol-fa system.-Life and career:Glover was born in The Close, Norwich. Her father became Curate of St Laurence's Church, Norwich in 1811, and she developed her learning system to aid teachers with a cappella singing...
(1785–1867) and John Pyke Hullah
John Pyke Hullah
John Pyke Hullah , English composer and teacher of music, was born at Worcester.He was a pupil of William Horsley from 1829, and entered the Royal Academy of Music in 1833...
(1812–24), However it had its philosophical roots in Europe, particularly in the social idealism of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi was a Swiss pedagogue and educational reformer who exemplified Romanticism in his approach....
.
In Bernarr Rainbow
Bernarr Rainbow
Bernarr Joseph George Rainbow was a historian of music education, organist, and choir master from the United Kingdom.-Biography:...
's words 'As a result of the series of weekly massed singing classes introduced at Exeter Hall
Exeter Hall
Exeter Hall was a hall on the north side of The Strand, London, England. It was erected between 1829 and 1831 on the site of Exeter Exchange, to designs by John Peter Gandy, the brother of the visionary architect Joseph Michael Gandy...
under government sanction, the people of London became more musically conscious between 1841 and 1843 than they had ever been.' Already known for his work among working men in Paris, Joseph Mainzer (1801-1851), had come to England in 1841 with his 'Singing for the Million' ideal of opening up musical education to the masses, by which period, however, Hullah had already established his own hugely successful classes in London at Exeter Hall. They were based on the system of popular musical education through choral singing devised by Paris School Inspector and musician, Guillaume Wilhem, the founder of the famous 'Orphéon' choral fests which had rapidly spread throughout France. Hullah's program had initially been designed as a school for the instruction of music masters of day and Sunday schools, but proved to be highly popular among the general public who flocked to Exeter Hall.
Wilhem's