Friday, July 02, 2010

Spivey Hall Hosts Annual Sacred Harp/Shape-Note Singing School, July 16 and 17

Clayton State University’s world-famous Spivey Hall will host its annual Sacred Harp/Shape-Note Singing School on Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17.

The school will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is free, or participants can pay $35 for one PLU Credit.

Singers and history buffs alike will enjoy this annual event. Sacred Harp singing, sometimes also called fa-so-la or shape-note singing, involves singing parts without instrumental accompaniment. The repertoire includes psalms, fugues, odes, and anthems by the first American composers (1770-1810) as well as folk songs and revival hymns (1810-1860). This is a non-denominational community music event that emphasizes participation, not expertise.

At Friday’s “singing school,” composer/conductor Richard DeLong will instruct beginners and experienced practitioners in the history, tradition, and performance practices of this piece of Americana. Participants will also view the documentary Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp.

On Saturday, Sacred Harp singers will travel from throughout the southeast for the annual singing and potluck luncheon at Spivey Hall. For more information about Sacred Harp singing, go to www.AtlantaSacredHarp.org or visit www.fasola.org.

Attendance at both Friday and Saturday’s events are free and open to the public, but registering for Friday’s singing school is required. More information and registration forms can be found at www.spiveyhall.org/education/pdt.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

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