As Sacred Harp singers we are not practicing for a performance. These are not rehearsals.
We gather to sing purely for the enjoyment of the music, for ourselves, for each other and to be uplifted.
All are welcome!
Singing in Salem Do you like to sing? New to this? Perhaps curiosity is getting the better of you. Come to a singing! Singing the Sacred Harp is free of charge, open to all. Everyone is welcome. Loaner songbooks are available for the duration of the singing.Email Salem Sacred Harp
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The
1991 Revision of The Sacred Harp
Since you may be wondering what this is... click here to watch a video about Sacred Harp singing, where it comes from and what it sounds like. We sing songs from a songbook titled "The Sacred Harp", the word "harp" referring, in this case, to the instrument bestowed upon each of us by the Creator, our voice. This collection of over 500 venerable religious songs and folk tunes was first published in 1844 and has been in use continuously ever since. This was the first music in America. A number of the songs in this collection date back to the 18th century, prior to the time of the American Revolution. We are now looking for interested people to sing the Sacred Harp in Salem, OR. We welcome anyone who would like to sing with us! These are community singings, open to the public and free of charge. You are welcome to visit and join in, or just listen. All voices with any level of experience are welcome. All it takes is a desire to sing. The songs are interesting, easy-to-learn four-part acapella choral pieces for men's and women's voices. This music, with its four shape notation was used as a way to teach people to read music and improve upon singing in churches where often there were no instruments to assist. In keeping with this tradition, Sacred Harp is always sung unaccompanied and in full voice, or loud, although to sing loudly is never a requirement for participation. Sacred Harp loaners books are available for the duration of the singing and they may be purchased for our cost ($25). Sacred Harp singing is never affiliated with any religious or political organization. |
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