Since you may be
wondering what this is...
please start by clicking here to watch a video about Sacred Harp singing, where it comes from and what it sounds like.

There are now regular weekly gatherings to sing the Sacred Harp in Salem, Oregon. These are community singings, open to the public and free of charge. Guests are welcome to visit and join in, or just listen. All voices and all levels of experience are welcome. All it takes is a desire to sing.

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. 

The music for the songs is all written in shaped notes, each shape representing a tone interval, or note, on the scale. This system was developed as a way to teach people to sing who do not know anything about music.

The songs are easy to learn four-part choral pieces for men's and women's voices. In keeping with tradition, Sacred Harp is always sung unaccompanied and in full voice, or loud, although to sing loudly is never a requirement for participation.

The songs we sing are all found in a book titled "The Sacred Harp". This collection of over 500 venerable religious songs and folk tunes was first published in 1844 and has been in use continuously ever since. Many of the songs in this collection date back to the 18th century in America.

Sacred Harp song books are available to borrow for the duration of the singing and may be purchased there for twenty dollars ($20), our cost.

We are looking forward to having this wonderful American tradition grow in Salem.

Come join the song!

email Salem Sacred Harp