Monthly Archives: December 2015

Introducing Vol. 4, No. 2 of the Sacred Harp Publishing Company Newsletter

Posted on December 31, 2015 by and

The ninth issue of the Sacred Harp Publishing Company Newsletter shares stories from Sacred Harp’s past, explores the leading choices of singers today, and offers thoughts on how our singings continue to expand as well as suggestions for how each … Continue reading →

Posted in Introduction | 1 Comment

The W. T. Gwin Old Harp Singers Trophy: A Unique Piece of Sacred Harp Memorabilia from Mississippi

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

An Unexpected Object on the Front Porch A unique piece of Sacred Harp memorabilia came to light recently. On April 13 of this year, my wife Anne and I arrived at our home in Oxford, Mississippi, to find an unexpected … Continue reading →

Posted in Read the Old Paths | 2 Comments

Sacred Harp Singing: A Way of Wife

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

Editor’s Note: This article was initially published in the Huntsville Sacred Harp Newsletter, no. 18 (February 1994), edited by David Ivey. Thanks to David and to the author for suggesting it for inclusion in this issue. How many of you … Continue reading →

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Regional Roots: Growing Sacred Harp in the Netherlands, Alaska, and British Columbia

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

Introduction Sacred Harp’s first wave of expansion beyond the southern United States was boosted by the dedication of dozens of long-time southern singers who traveled repeatedly to sing with newcomers across the country. These emissaries exemplified the sincere fellowship and … Continue reading →

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406 and More, in Sweden

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

“Zack, I’ll never forget this as long as I live,” declared fellow singer Steve Schmidgall as our group turned to acknowledge the applause of the smiling crowd that had stopped to listen to this strange music we were singing in … Continue reading →

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Seasonal Songs

Posted on December 31, 2015 by and

Introduction One choice every singer at a Sacred Harp singing faces is what song to lead. The songs leaders choose are building blocks that construct our experience of the day, and how leaders make such choices is surely as individual … Continue reading →

Posted in Number, Measure, Weight | 1 Comment

Recovering Sacred Harp History through Newspapers

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

So many exciting facets of our Sacred Harp history can seem hopelessly lost to time. Many old singing conventions have been disbanded for years. Many singers and singing families are gone and forgotten. Hopes of uncovering their stories may seem … Continue reading →

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Harmony Primitive Baptist Church Singing, November 19, 1995: “The Traditional Window Opening”

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

With their standardized formatting and regimented lists of leaders and songs, the minutes might give the impression of a greater degree of order than actually reigns at any given singing. Longtime singers will attest that conventions don’t always proceed according … Continue reading →

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Some Dos and Don’ts for Sacred Harp Singers

Posted on December 31, 2015 by

Editor’s Note: Nashville Sacred Harp singer and aptly-named Presbyterian minister Priestley Miller wrote this pithy collection of Sacred Harp “dos and don’ts” in 1965. His admonitions retain their currency fifty years later. Contemporary singers too need the occasional reminder that … Continue reading →

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