The National Sacred Harp Convention

The National Sacred Harp Convention will be meeting for three days this week, June 14-16 in Fultondale, Alabama. (For details, go here)

Sacred Harp is an old acapella style of singing that came to this country by way of the English settlers. It was taught to people by using shaped notes to designate, and a "fa-sol-la" method for vocalizing each note. It was kept alive in this country primarily by the Primitive Baptists in Appalachia.*

Did you know that sacred harp music is finding renewed interest in conventions across the United States and even in other countries? There are sacred harp events across the British Isles, Australia,  and Europe, even in Austria, Germany, and Poland.

In the three videos below, you will see first some authentic Sacred Harp singing at Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church in a video produced by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. That one is followed by "World Unknown" at a Sacred Harp Convention in Ireland. The third video is of Sacred Harp singing in Poland.

You will notice that there are some very specific characteristics that are followed every time. There is the four-square seating arrangement in which the different vocal parts are seated in a square with the music director standing in the middle (sacred harp singers call that middle space the "holy of holies" where the best sound can be heard). You will also notice the "fa-sol-la" vocalizing done by the group before the words are sung. There is also the distinct up and down hand movements of the director which some of the singers will do as well.  Most important, you will hear that distinctive sound.

I will also add that, as good as these recordings are, they are no match for hearing the music live and in person. If you can, make it out to the National Sacred Harp Convention in Fultondale (near Birmingham), Alabama, or find a local sacred harp singing near you. 

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* See also Sacred Harp and the Sound of Eternal Essence.

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