18th Annual All-California Sacred Harp Singing Convention

Sat, Jan 14 - Sun, Jan 15
9:30 am - 3:30 pm both days
free, donations accepted

Two--day gathering of up to 200 shape-note singers from California
and around the country.Music is sung from The Sacred Harp, a book of
early American hymns, odes, and anthems first published in 1844. The
convention will be conducted in traditional style, with singers
seated in a square, divided according to vocal part. No prior
experience is necessary to participate.
Shape note music is an early American four-part singing tradition
that has been experiencing a revival in recent years. It was
prominently featured in Bill Moyers' Amazing Grace special and in the
2003 Civil War film Cold Mountain. Sung a cappella in an uninhibited,
full-voiced style, the intensity of the singing in the "hollow
square" has to be experienced to be believed.
The convention will include a traditional "dinner-on-the-grounds"
potluck lunch at noon. Four ongoing shape note groups meet regularly
in the Bay Area: see www.fasola.org

Venue:

Casa de Flores
737 Walnut Street
San Carlos



Between Cherry and Olive; 2 blocks SW of El Camino Real, 5 blocks
from Caltrain station.

Additional Info:

415-585-4773
www.fasola.org/sf/convention