Shape Note Singing Concert, UCC, Mon 22nd (free)

Wolflinge

A Participatory Concert of American Sacred Harp Singing
with the UCC Shape Note Ensemble.

Come join us in singing high energy anthems, raucous fugues, and haunting hymns from the 1500s to 1900s.

admission free


Some of you may be familliar with Shape Note or Sacred Harp recordings through Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music recordings, or through Alan Lomax recordings or essays. For those curious about the music, here is a great resource: http://fasola.org/

The music is described as a haunting form of a cappella with deep roots in the American south. Shape note singing has survived over 200 years tucked away from notice in the rural deep south, where in old country churches, singers break open The Sacred Harp, a 160 year old shape note hymnal which has preserved these fiercely beautiful songs which are some of the oldest in America.

A group of us have been singing these old songs together for up to two years now on Monday nights at Sundays Well. Some are more experienced, others less so. The tradition is an amazing democratic singing tradition and there is no attention paid to blending, mistakes, etc. We sing purely in the moment, as a group and the experience can often be quite raw.

Here are some youtube links for anyone who wants to check out the music.
(For Current 93 fans) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJPdvitbOMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w7UsHX2YdM
(From Cold Mountain) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY6LPgY_Zw0

If anyone is curious and thinks they might like to join us on Mondays nights, come along to the concert and say hello.

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Ahh I read about this a few years ago! Sounds like the kind of thing that I have interest in, but i have no motivation to go to. I wish you good luck anyway!