The Juvenile Choir; A Selection of the Choicest Melodies from the German, Italian, French, English, and American Composers. Designed for Public and Private Schools, and for Young Classes in Academies and Seminaries.

New York: A.S., Barnes & Co., 1945 First edition, an introductory work of music and songbook for children. Reprinted at least seven times between 1845 and 1860.. Black leather spine over illustrated boards. . Oblong quarto (8 x5"). . Binding extremities a bit rubbed, minor soiling to boards. Trivial foxing, light intermittent staining, touching text at times, but never affecting legibility. A very good copy of a fragile book. George Kingsley (1811-1884) was a Massachusetts-born music teacher and editor. He taught music at Girard College in Philadelphia, served as music supervisor for public schools in Philadelphia, and was the organ player at Old South Church and Hollis Street Church in Boston. He also compiled and edited a number of music books, including Sunday School Singing Book (1832), The Social Choir (1836), The Young Ladies' Harp (1847), and Templi Carmina (1853). In his introduction "To My Young Musical Friends," Kingsley writes, "The Juvenile Choir is prepared with the hope that it may give [children] many hours of social enjoyment, and aid [them] in acquiring a knowledge of this delightful science" (p. 3). The present work first explores the elements of vocal music, including musical characters (notes, staff, timing), dynamics, melody, scales, etc., followed by a compilation of eighty-seven songs that include both musical notes and lyrics.