What to Expect at a Singing
All are welcome to attend and participate in sacred harp singing regardless of musical experience or religious affiliation. Singings are neither rehearsals nor performances - we simply sing for ourselves and each other.
All-Day Singings and Conventions
Participation Encouraged
Most all-day singings begin around 9 or 10 am and last until 2 or 3 pm. You are encouraged to drop by whenever or stay for the whole day. Loaner songbooks are available for you to follow along and join in on the singing.
Dinner on the Ground
A potluck meal occurs around noon on each day of an all-day or convention. Local singers are encouraged to bring a dish or two to share. There are typically pastries and warm beverages provided in the morning as well.
Hollow Square
Singers are arranged according to vocal part - with trebles, altos, tenors, and basses facing the center of a hollow square. You are welcome to sing in any section or to try out different parts throughout the day.
The Social
After most all-day singings, you are invited to attend a social gathering hosted by a local singer or at a nearby restaurant. Although some singing may occur at the social, this is a time for snacks and fellowship.
Leading
There is no choir director at a sacred harp singing. Instead, all singers have the opportunity to pick a song from the book and lead it from the center of the hollow square. New singers are encouraged to lead or simply stand in the center with a more experienced singer.
Traveling
People come to sing from all over the country and the world, and there are often over one hundred attendees at an event. Travelers are encouraged to seek accommodations with local singers.
Monthly Singings
Regular singings occur throughout the area in homes, community centers, and other venues. There are typically between five and twenty singers at these events. They often last two hours with a break in the middle for snacking and chatting. Loaner songbooks are usually available, and newcomers are always welcome. Just like at the annual events, singers are arranged by vocal part in a hollow square; however, leading is more casual and is often done from one's seat. See the calendar page for upcoming singings near you.