Calliope School of Folk Music: Sacred Harp Singing (free)

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Shape note singing goes back over 200 years, survived in the rural South to be revived in the rest of the US in the 1970s and 80s, and is now practiced internationally. It is a folk tradition of singing in four-part harmony using books printed in a special notation.

The “shape notes," invented around 1800 to supplement the Fa-So-La syllables of traditional English music teaching, help the singer to sing at sight, without the need to understand key signatures. We will show you how to use them to turn what’s on the page into harmonious song. Experienced local singers will be on hand to help lead each of the four harmony parts.

Prerequisites: This class is for you if you can sing pretty much in tune and like to sing with others. There’s no need for choral experience. Since we learn from books, please consult with us if you have any visual impairment to find out if we can make it work for you.

Register here!

Check out these additional resources for more information:

-PGHShapenote.org

· Art Zone: Kevin Barrans explains Sacred Harp singing

· Pittsburgh Shape Note Singers Facebook group

· FaSoLa.org FAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fukf03MY380