Composer of the song "Simple Gifts", which has spread beyond the Shaker community where it was written in 1848 to become a beloved classic. It is best known as woven into Aaron Copland's ballet "Appalachian Spring". Many contemporary Christian denominations incorporate this tune into hymnals, under various names, including "Lord of the Dance," adapted in 1963 by English poet and songwriter Sydney Carter.
Son of Joseph Brackett, Sr., he was named Elisha at birth, but his name was changed to his father's first name after the family joined the Shaker community in Gorham, Maine. This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819. Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually moving to the Sabbathday Lake community and becoming the head of the society in Maine. His portrait still hangs in the music room at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine.
Each year on May 6, there is a birthday commemoration for Brackett sponsored by the American Tune Lovers Society (ATLS). Listeners and musicians are invited to play or perform "Simple Gifts" to honor Elder Joseph Brackett's song.
Son of Joseph Brackett, Sr., he was named Elisha at birth, but his name was changed to his father's first name after the family joined the Shaker community in Gorham, Maine. This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819. Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually moving to the Sabbathday Lake community and becoming the head of the society in Maine. His portrait still hangs in the music room at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine.
Each year on May 6, there is a birthday commemoration for Brackett sponsored by the American Tune Lovers Society (ATLS). Listeners and musicians are invited to play or perform "Simple Gifts" to honor Elder Joseph Brackett's song.
Composer of the song "Simple Gifts", which has spread beyond the Shaker community where it was written in 1848 to become a beloved classic. It is best known as woven into Aaron Copland's ballet "Appalachian Spring". Many contemporary Christian denominations incorporate this tune into hymnals, under various names, including "Lord of the Dance," adapted in 1963 by English poet and songwriter Sydney Carter.
Son of Joseph Brackett, Sr., he was named Elisha at birth, but his name was changed to his father's first name after the family joined the Shaker community in Gorham, Maine. This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819. Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually moving to the Sabbathday Lake community and becoming the head of the society in Maine. His portrait still hangs in the music room at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine.
Each year on May 6, there is a birthday commemoration for Brackett sponsored by the American Tune Lovers Society (ATLS). Listeners and musicians are invited to play or perform "Simple Gifts" to honor Elder Joseph Brackett's song.
Son of Joseph Brackett, Sr., he was named Elisha at birth, but his name was changed to his father's first name after the family joined the Shaker community in Gorham, Maine. This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819. Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually moving to the Sabbathday Lake community and becoming the head of the society in Maine. His portrait still hangs in the music room at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine.
Each year on May 6, there is a birthday commemoration for Brackett sponsored by the American Tune Lovers Society (ATLS). Listeners and musicians are invited to play or perform "Simple Gifts" to honor Elder Joseph Brackett's song.
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