Three-Book Shape Note Singing, Selections

Shape note singers gathered for the Ohio Valley shape Note Singing at Harrod's Creek Baptist Church, Brownsboro KY, to sing on April 28 and 29, 2007. Books: Sacred Harp, Cooper and Denson editions, Southern Harmony.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• shape
• note
• singing
• Sacred
• harp
• Southern
• Harmony

[mferris16]

If this was filmed within the last 100 years, I'm amazed. If the last five? How does this remain unadultered after the on slaught of modernity? Keep the flame alive. An arrow into the soul of music.

[PLBrayfield]

Thanks for your heartfelt comment! 'An arrow into the soul of music' - what a great description! And for those of us who love to sing this music, 'an arrow into our own souls.'

[tinydancer666]

what is the opening song, the song right at beginning when filming starts? I get goosebumps listening to people sing like this

[PLBrayfield]

This song is 'Return Again' (Denson Sacred Harp 335). I dubbed in this sound clip from another source ('Glory in My Soul' a CD of singing at the Missouri Shape Note Singing Convention in 1998), which accounts for its excellent sound quality as compared to the clips in this little movie which I made on my poorly-functioning camera! As to the goosebumps - many people experience the same response to Sacred Harp singing! I did - and that's part of the reason I got involved with it!

[johngard]

Pat, You do a fine job of filming these events, somewhat artistic, I might add. The sound quality is poor and I am wondering if it is due to something youtube is doing to it?

Looking forward to your next one.

[PLBrayfield]

Check out the new 'Three-book Singing' video I just posted. Both the sound and the visuals are much better (different camera). Despite the poor technical qualities of this first one, it continues to get many viewers so I am leaving it up.

[muldoonspicnic]

No carinalillithkell, the Polynesians didn't borrow their choral tradition from the Sacred Harp!

[carinalillithkell]

So this is where the Polynesians take after their choral music. I guess that was when Christian missionaries brought their music

[PLBrayfield]

I was very disappointed myself in the sound quality of my video clips from Harrod's Creek, which I think is the result of a malfunction of my camera. I pondered whether to post the material, but decided in favor, since I couldn't bear to simply discard so many memorable scenes that can never be relived.