Shape note singing is perhaps the oldest American community singing tradition. It started in rural New England over two centuries ago and spread to the rural towns of the mid-West and the deep South, and now across North America, Europe, and Asia.
How does it work? Singers sit in parts – treble, tenor, bass, and alto – on four sides of a hollow square. We face and sing to each other, making it a very sociable musical experience. It's easy to learn as you sing with your part. It's called shape-note because the notes of the scale are indicated by distinctive shapes and names.
We sing from the Sacred Harp song book (fasola.org). Loaner books are available. Our sessions are free and open to all. No experience is required. No auditions or rehearsals. We emphasize participation, not performance.
Our next monthly singing - February 12, 2023, 1:00-3:00 - will be in the Community Room of the Ilsley Public Library at 75 Main St. in Middlebury. This is a temporary location change due to a schedule conflict. We'll be back in Mitchell Green Lounge for our March 12 singing.
DIRECTIONS:
The Library is next door to the Town Office building on the rotary. Access to the Community Room is at the back of the main building and down the ramp, adjacent to the public parking lot. Parking is also available around Cannon Park, in front of the library. The room is handicap accessible and has two restrooms. The main library building is closed on Sundays.
2. Songs of Slavery and Emancipation for Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It's a good opportunity for us to revisit and sing a few of the shape note tunes in the recently published book, Songs of Slavery and Emancipation. The book contains recently discovered songs composed by enslaved people, fugitive slaves as well as free black people that call for resistance to slavery. Some originate as early as 1800 and others as late as the outbreak of the Civil War.
You can find out more about the book and a companion CD at:
https://jalopyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-slavery-and-emancipation
There is also a YouTube documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmytdAYr-s0
Many thanks to Dan Wright for making this possible.
COVID PRECAUTIONS:
* If you don't feel well, or if anyone in your household has any COVID symptoms, please stay home and take care of yourself. If in doubt, take an Antigen rapid test on the singing day.
* Full anti-COVID vaccination is required, including a booster shot, if you are eligible (if you are elderly or immune-compromised or over 6 months past your last booster).
*If you are not eligible or if you don't have full anti-COVID vaccination, we highly recommend that you wear a mask and maintain a social distance.
*All are welcome to wear a mask anytime.
*If you test positive up to 5 days after the event, please contact David ASAP: rosenber@middlebury.edu or text to 802-989-4387.
Contact: MiddleburyShapeNote@gmail.com. FaceBook/Middlebury Shape Note Singers
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