If you have been wondering what this style of singing is all about, you are cordially invited to join us in person for a special New Year session this Sunday, January 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in McCullough / Mitchell Green Lounge, Old Chapel Way, at Middlebury College.

Do you like group singing? 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.

Why is it called shape note? Because the notes of the scale are indicated by distinctive shapes (triangle, circle, square, and diamond) and names (fa, sol, la, mi).

We sing from The Sacred Harp song book (published by fasola.org since 1844). 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.

Why do we sing? As Heidi Champney once said, "people who sing together, breathe together. They share the same spirit." We simply love to sing together. All are welcome. Please come to sing or to listen; leave whenever you wish.

DIRECTIONS: Mitchell Green Lounge is on the top floor of the McCullough Student Center on Old Chapel Road. It is accessible by stairs and elevator. Parking is available at adjacent parking lots. Enter from Route 125/College St. or Route 30/S. Main St.

CONTACT: FaceBook/Middlebury Shape Note Singers, MiddleburyShapeNote@gmail.com or David Rosenberg, rosenber@middlebury.edu, 802-989-4387.

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Nearby Local Shape Note Singings

Charlotte: January 7, 1-3pm (First Sundays) - Charlotte Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road, Charlotte VT 05445. First Sundays. Contact: Kerry Cullinan (Text: 802-318-8733). kclynxvt@gmail.com.

Burlington: January 3 & 17, 6-8pm (1st & 3rd Wednesdays) - Burlington Sacred Harp Singing. First Baptist Church, 81 St Paul St., Burlington. Facebook: Sacred Harp Community of Vermont, Burlington. Contact: Larry Bingham (413-429-5367)

Middlebury: January 14, 1-3pm (Second Sundays) - Middlebury Shape Note Singers. McCullough / Mitchell Green Lounge, Old Chapel Road, Middlebury College. Contact: David, rosenber@middlebury.edu. (802-989-4387).  

Colchester: January 21, 1-3pm (3rd Sundays) - St. Michael's College, McCarthy Arts Center, 1 Winooski Park, Colchester. Contact: Elizabeth O'Dowd, (802-363-3627).

Shelburne: January 28, 6-8pm (4th Wednesdays) - 122 Bostwick Road, Shelburne VT 05482 (Lake Champlain Waldorf School/Upper School). Contact: Sage Chase-Dempsey. 781-572-6688. s.chasedempsey@gmail.com.

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SAVE THE DATE!

42nd VERMONT ALL-DAY SACRED HARP SINGING
Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Upper Valley
320 Route 5 South, Norwich, Vermont 05055

Singers from across New England will gather to sing in harmony from the Denson Sacred Harp (1991 edition). Books to borrow or to buy will be available. Dinner on the grounds (potluck) at noon.

REQUIRED: Anti-COVID-19 vaccination, Negative same-day rapid test.
LOCATION: UUCUV.org. Close to I-89 and I-91 intersection.
EVENT CHAIR: Colleen Hayes, colleenannhayes@gmail.com.
INFO: Facebook and vermontshapenotesingers.com.

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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, especially if you are elderly or immune-compromised or over 6 months past your last booster. If not, please 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.
**Free at-home COVID-19 Tests are now available from the US FDA through the USPS. Four (4) fast, easy antigen home tests.
Order form: https://special.usps.com/testkits.

Event Info

Sep 29, 2024, 4:30 AM to 6 PM

Sep 29, 2024, 4:30 to 6 PM

Oct 3, 2024, 6:30 to 8:30 PM