Sacred Harp / Shapenote Singing

Name of facilitator: Martha Henderson
Address: Inver Grove Heights, MN
E-mail: MarthaH605@aol.com
Course description:
Shape note singing is an American folk tradition of singing hymns and gospel songs from books using shaped note heads to indicate position in the scale. The book we use is called The Sacred Harp.
• Shape note singing is a participatory event, not a performance, although visitors are welcome to come and listen.
• The singers sit in a hollow square facing each other and take turns leading songs.
• The songs are sung in three or four parts without instrumental accompaniment.
• The music has a distinctive open and modal sound, and the singing is usually exuberant, rhythmic and full of feeling.
Come and learn how to sing in this tradition. Anyone is welcome, regardless of perceived singing ability. Ability to read music, however, is very useful.
Class Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays
Class Dates: September 25, October 2, 9, 16
Place: University Baptist Church
1219 University Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
(In Dinkytown near the U)
for the first two Thursdays; after that it will be different.
Class size: Minimum __5_______ Maximum no max________
What experience do you bring to this class?
Eighteen years as a shape-note singer from the Sacred Harp, plus extensive study and practice, plus some experience teaching Sacred Harp singing workshops.