Anybody is welcome to walk in to this relaxed atmosphere, find a seat, and try singing. Participants will be gently encouraged to participate, regardless of whether you think you are a good singer. If you prefer, you can just listen. Plus, there will be plenty of food, so please stay for dinner.
While some shape note books include old-fashioned gospel hymns, the music in the most widely used book, the 1991 Sacred Harp, has an unfamiliar older sound. Your religious or political affiliation doesn't matter at a singing. Sacred Harp singing has been interdenominational since it began.
Our informal First Thursday singing is a good place for beginners in the Atlanta area to learn this style of music. We begin at 7:30pm with a brief explanation and a walk-through of Old Hundred, a tune familiar to many as the Doxology. Participants then take turns choosing songs from the Sacred Harp (1991 ed.) until 8:30pm. During a short break for refreshments, we pass out copies of An Eclectic Harmony, a shape note sampler book that includes several beloved late 19th century hymns. Singing continues from both books until 9:30pm. Songbooks are available to borrow, buy, or share.