The A-Space

Shape-note Singing 

Every 4th Thursday from 7:30-9:30

Shape-note singing is a tradition of sacred music originating in the American South in the early 19th century. It is for the singers' enjoyment, not for performance; many shape-note enthusiasts have said they would cross the country to sing it, but would not cross the street to listen to it.

Singers arrange themselves in four sections facing each other in a square and sing parts from a book called The Sacred Harp. The book features a unique notation in which each note head has one of four shapes, hence the name. Each shape corresponds to a solfeg syllable: fa, so, la, or mi. The method was originally intended as a tool for teaching music, but it is not necessary to learn the method if you can read music a little or follow the singers next to you.

The Sacred Harp contains a few familiar tunes such as Amazing Grace and Auld Lang Syne, although the words may be new to you. There is also a great wealth of lovely music that will be totally unfamiliar.

Books or photocopies will be provided. If you happen to have a copy of the Sacred Harp, please bring it!