21st Annual Midwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention

The 21st Annual Midwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention is slated to convene on April 29 and 30, 2006 at Ida Noyes Hall in Chicago. As always, it's sponsored by the University of Chicago Shape Note Singing Association.

What is shape-note/sacred harp singing? Here's a brief definition:

Sacred Harp singing is a non-denominational community musical event emphasizing participation, not performance. Singers sit facing inward in a hollow square. Each individual is invited to take a turn “leading,” i.e. standing in the center, selecting a song, and beating time with the hand. The singing is not accompanied by harps or any other instrument. The group sings from The Sacred Harp, an oblong songbook first published in 1844 by B.F. White and E. J. King. The music is printed in “patent notes,” wherein the shape of the note head indicates the syllables FA (right triangle), SOL (oval), LA (rectangle), and MI (diamond). The repertory includes psalm tunes, fuging tunes, odes and anthems by the first American composers (1770-1810), and also settings of folk songs and revival hymns (1810-1860). The current 1991 Edition contains many songs in these styles by living composers.

To listen for yourself, head to this page. And for more info about shape-note singing generally, head to Fasola.org.