Judy Hauff: "Wood Street" Sacred Harp (Ensemble Inversus)

Ensemble Inversus singing in an April 2, 2011 concert at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Montreal, Quebec. Debut concert of a new chamber choir comprised of young Montreal singers, many of whom studied or are studying voice at McGill University. We are an un-conducted ensemble, but I provide some direction and keep things organized.

Really neat contemporary (1986) shape-note tune from the Sacred Harp. Love the lyrics and the parallel fourths at the start of the fuging section.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• choir
• choral
• a cappella
• sacred harp
• shape-note
• hymn
• metrical psalm paraphrase
• parallel fourths
• modal

[APayne1979]

@NedNefarious I sure wish I knew that technique. I blew out my voice leading Cobb 313b on Tuesday night! : )

I'm sure you know this already, but Tim Eriksen is holding a shape-note singing school on September 24th in Montreal, QC at the POPMontreal International Music Festival at 3pm. I went to one in MN here a few months ago. Good stuff.

[NedNefarious]

@APayne1979 Oh, cool! In fact I had no idea that was happening, so I'll try to make it and recommend to a few friends. Thanks!

[APayne1979]

@NedNefarious Definitely agree with you there. Coming from a purely classical background myself, it's been hard to let go of everything I've learned in terms of vocal preservation and natural vibrato and sing Sacred Harp til my throat burns and my head hurts but I wouldn't go back for anything.

[NedNefarious]

@APayne1979 Yeah, I feel that. I've been singing Sacred Harp for quite a few years now, and I'm starting to feel like there is a "sustainable", non-harmful technique to singing it for a long time. I mean, some people do it their whole lives at those conventions, week after week, so there is a way. Just like with the people who do that metal screaming vocal style... you just have to figure out how.

[longdehua]

Beautiful rendition. Obviously a more "studied" sound than traditional singings, but losing none of the power and feeling.

[NedNefarious]

@longdehua Thanks! It's funny, trying to get a group of very talented classical choral singers to sound less "studied"... it just takes time to get inside that style. Hopefully we can get there someday.

[1kingofhill]

You don't have to sing through your nose or screech to sing Sacred Harp. If you are a trained singer just sing the way you were trained. That works very well.

[bilcal]

Well sung! Keep up the good work!

Sacred Harp singing is an acquired taste, yet I discovered it scratches an itch I didn't know I had, to use an old rural expression. ;-)