Sacred Harp singing thrives because of passionate organizers who dedicate their time and energy to creating spaces for singers to come together. This guide will help you plan, prepare, and promote your singing in a way that honors tradition while welcoming newcomers.
Why Organize Sacred Harp Singings?
- Build Community: Singings provide a unique opportunity for people to connect through song, tradition, and fellowship.
- Preserve Tradition: By organizing singings, you contribute to the continuation of a centuries-old musical practice.
- Share the Joy of Singing: Offering a place for new singers to join and grow is deeply rewarding.
Organizing a Regular Singing
Regular singings are the heart of the Sacred Harp tradition. These smaller, recurring gatherings offer consistency and a chance for singers to hone their skills.
It would be optimal if there was a fifth generation shape-note singer to share their wisdom and many of the traditions and techniques that have developed over time, often unwritten. But, sometimes enthusiasm will be in the driver’s seat and everyone can fumble through it as best they can. It would be recommended singers get as much experience as they can with established
Here’s how to get started:
1. Communication
- Set up a dedicated email address. This will help in a number of ways, including if you ever need to “pass along” the group to someone else to run, even if temporarily.
- Additionally, if you have early compatriots, setting up a chat group on Signal, Telegram or Discord will help keep everyone on the same page.
- Setting up a Facebook page (to announce singings) or a group (to allow people to discuss) could be incredibly helpful to everything that follows.
2. Find a Venue
- Look for accessible community spaces such as churches, libraries, or community centers.
- Ensure the venue has good acoustics, plenty of seating, and parking or public transit options.
- While you’re building up your group, having it at someone’s house is perfectly viable.
3. Set a Schedule
- Choose a recurring day and time (e.g., the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 PM) to create predictability. Groups meet at all days of the week, but usually evenings during the week, and earlier in the day on weekends.
- Most regular singings meet once a month, but many areas will meet once a week.
- Don’t schedule on the same day as another group in the region if you want to try to attract already active singers.
- Stick with it.
4. Pick a Tunebook and Arrange for “Loaners”
- People new to singing will most likely not have a book already, so you’ll need loaner books on hand to help them get started.
- Shape-note singing requires shape-note tunebooks, but starting a singing group doesn’t mean you need to buy dozens of books right away. If there’s a regional group nearby, ask if you can borrow “loaner books.” But only do so if you can get them all back in a timely manner. Often, experienced singers are willing to bring extra books—and their expertise—to help support your new group.
- Choosing which book to sing from is another important decision. If you’re borrowing books, the choice will likely depend on what’s available. Many established singings rotate between several tunebooks, but for a new group, it’s often best to stick with one book until your core singers gain confidence. That said, purchasing at least half-dozen books for your group is probably a smart investment—they’ll provide consistency and be useful as your singing grows.
5. Build a Core Group & Grow
- Reach out to local singers and anyone interested in shape note singing to form a core group.
- Don’t worry if your first few singings are small—consistency will help you grow over time.
- Keep showing up, on time, every time. Sing. (maybe bring snacks)
6. Promote Your Singing
- Add your singing to shapenotesingings.com’s directory of singings.
- Set up a Facebook page to post details on social media. Don’t neglect a small flyer for community and church bulletin boards, and through local roots music groups.
- Have a seasoned singer visit and put on a singing school as a special event.
Promoting Your Singing
To ensure a good turnout, use a mix of traditional and digital promotion:
- Online Platforms: Add your event to Facebook, fasola.org, and regional Sacred Harp websites. Services like Eventbrite often have a “free” version if your group isn’t charging for tickets.
- Affinity groups: There is often a lot of crossover from folk-music enthusiasts, reenactors, music students and traditional dancing groups. If they have a website or newsletter, ask if your group can be announced in it.
- Flyers: Post flyers in churches, libraries, and community centers.
John, a long-time singer and organizer, said this to me: “In my years of doing this pretty much none of the stuff you’re going to to makes a difference. The only think that will get someone to come back is if they show up and find a friend.” At first I thought he meant someone the person knew, but then I came to understand it to mean me. I should try to be that friend, and the other singers that are there should be that friend. That’s fellowship. And what’s better than having a new friend?
Organizing a Convention
Discover a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for organizing a Sacred Harp Convention. Ginnie Ely’s detailed resource walks you through planning—from selecting dates and venues to coordinating committees and finalizing event schedules—with a sample timetable for a two-day New England convention. Perfect for both first-time organizers and seasoned professionals, this guide covers, in detail, a great deal of the work needed to host a successful annual event: