BENJAMIN HOLT, JR.
Benjamin Holt, Jr. (b. Lebanon, Conn., 7 Aug. 1773; d. Lancaster, Mass., 9 March 1861) was a composer, music teacher, and conductor, who lived in Boston from the beginning of the nineteenth century until he moved to Lancaster in 1853. A founding member of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society, Holt served as its second president (1817-18).
Bio-bib, Metcalf, Wolfe. Also Handel & Haydn 1893, p. 38, 55, 59. See also Brown, Columbian and European Harmony, (No. 127), introductory note.
THE NEW-ENGLAND SACRED HARMONY, 1803
ASMI 253
The New-England Sacred Harmony. Being principally an original composition. In three and four parts. Adapted to the various metres in common use. By Benjamin Holt, jun. Published according to act of Congress. Printed at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold by them at No. 45, Newbury Street, by the booksellers in general, and by the author, head of Russell Street, Boston.-1803.
55, [1] p. 13.5 x 22 cm.
Advertisement dated Boston, March, 1803. Copyright granted, 1 March 1803, District of Massachusetts, to Holt as author (Mass. 1:150). p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], 'Advertisement'; p. [3]-5, 'A concise Introduction, containing the Elements of Music'; p. 5, 'Explanation of Musical Terms'; p. [6], 'Subscribers' Names'; p. [7]-55, music; p. [56], 'Index'. 'To a candid public, The New-England Sacred Harmony is with great diffidence submitted, as the first essay of the Author. It does not make its appearance under the high patronage of borrowed recommendation, but rests its destiny entirely upon its own merits. Should the scrutinizing connoisseur discover any defects in the ensuing work (as he probably may) he will remember that error is a characteristic of all human productions. The Author can only say, that he has taken much pains in the pieces of his own composition to have them correct; and in selecting from others, he has endeavoured to choose such as appeared the most likely to be useful and pleasing.' (Extract from Advertisement.)
48 compositions, incl. 1 anthem & 3 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs. to Broderip, N. Brown, Deolph, Dr. Goss (5), Hamilton, Handel, Holden (3), Holt (23), Mann, H. Purcell, Thorley, Upfold (2), Will[iams] Coll. 31 1st pr. & 4 1st Am. pr. claimed; 32 1st pr. & 3 1st Am. pr. identified (BEULAH by Holt mistakenly called a 1st Am. pr. rather than a 1st pr.). 139 American compositions, 9 non-American (37 attrib. Americans, 2 traced [AMANDA, NEWBURGH]; 7 attrib. non-Americans, 2 traced).
1 Core Repertory.
Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). Copies in CtY, DLC (2; 1 b.w. Holden, The Worcester Collection, 8th ed., 1803, Cooper, The Beauties, [1804], & The First Church Collection, {1805), MWA* (copy inscribed 'Mr. Holden is requested to accept this, with the respect of his friend Benj? Holt.'), NcWsM.
OCCASIONAL MUSIC, 1810
ASMI 254
Occasional Music. An anthem, composed for the dedication of the new meeting-house belonging to the Second Baptist Society in Boston, and suitable to be performed at the ordination of a minister. Together with a few new tunes. To which is added, an appropriate anthem for Thanksgiving, by Pring. By Benjamin Holt. Boston: printed by Manning and Loring 1810.
16 p. 115 x 24 cm.
P. [1], t-p.; p. [2] blank; p. [3]-16, music.
4 compositions, incl. I anthem & 1 set-piece, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attrib. to Pring. 2 1st pr. identified (ANTHEM FOR DEDICATION, ARLON), also 1 1st Am. pr. (ANTHEM FOR THANKSGIVING). 12 American compositions, 2 non-American (2 assumed to be by Holt; 1 attrib. non-American, 1 traced [ALZEY]).
No Core Repertory.
S20370 (MWA). CtY*, MH, MWA, RPB.
ASMI pp. 319-320.