Sacred Harp Singing For Beginners Workshop

An introduction to participatory “shape note” singing

No prior musical experience required

Free

Three Thursdays, April 3, 10, & 17, 2025

7:00 to 9:00 pm, doors open at 6:30

Singing Workshop

This three-night participatory workshop is for all those interested in learning to sing in a friendly, non-performance environment. No prior musical experience or skill set is needed. Just bring your voice! You’ll learn the basics of melody and harmony singing, get practice reading music using traditional shape note symbols, and discover a rich body of American folk hymns.

We’ll delve into the music of The Sacred Harp, a tunebook first published in the 1840s and still in print today. Sacred Harp songs are known for their distinctive, haunting harmonies and powerful expression, and have influenced classic artists like the Carter Family, and contemporary practitioners like T Bone Burnett, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Sam Amidon.

The workshop is free and open to anyone. Beginners and the “just curious” are welcome. Each session is taught by an experienced Sacred Harp singer and begins with a brief introduction for complete beginners, followed by a detailed lesson on different aspects of shape note singing. We’ll talk a little about the deep history of the music, but our workshop will emphasize practice: learning the mechanics of reading music and singing, how to keep time, what to expect at “all-day” Sacred Harp singings, and more. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, as well as a break with snacks.

While each session will cover a different aspect of singing, we’ll also begin each time with a refresher on the basics, so you can come for all three sessions or join at any point.

Come learn a deep American musical tradition, build confidence, and connect with others through a shared passion for singing!

Venue

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits, near Madison Yards and the Atlanta Beltline

Enter at the rear of the building, near 340 Chester Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

(The building’s front address is 881 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, but the rear entrance is on Chester Avenue.)

There is street and lot parking near the building entrance. See Visiting GCN.

Schedule

April 3: The basics of singing, taught by David Ivey

April 10: The basics of rhythm and “modes of time” in Sacred Harp, taught by Sasha Hsuczyk

April 17: How to lead a song, how to follow a song leader, and what to expect at an all-day singing, taught by Andy Ditzler

Our Instructors

David Ivey is a country singing school teacher and lifelong Sacred Harp singer. He is co-founder and director of Camp Fasola, a summer camp for teaching Sacred Harp music and traditions. David was recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts prestigious National Heritage Fellowship award in 2013. He serves as Chair of the Revision-Music Committee for The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, which will be its sixth revision since 1844. He considers his participation in all-day and local singings to be his most important activity in Sacred Harp.

Sasha Hsuczyk is an accomplished old-time fiddler, and experienced leader and teacher of Sacred Harp music.

Andy Ditzler is an experienced practitioner of traditional Sacred Harp singing and has taught shape note music in cities throughout the United States, in Canada, France, Camp Fasola in Alabama, and Camp Fasola in Poland.

Tickets

Book a free ticket online, or just show up!

How much does the workshop cost?

This workshop is free of charge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors at Atlanta Sacred Harp and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits.

Indoor group singing carries some risk of the transmission of illness, especially during flu season. We ask that you do not attend if you have flu-like or Covid-like symptoms.

This workshop is presented by Atlanta Sacred Harp, and is being held in advance of the annual Atlanta All-Day Sacred Harp Singing — a free, participatory singing event — taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 am at the First Existentialist Congregation in the Candler Park neighborhood.