Get Out This Weekend: Shapenote Singing

This folk-music-related post is about participation, not performance. Shapenote singing (aka Sacred Harp) has been part of American life for well over 250 years, and has been sung in Seattle for 30 or 40. A sizeable group of people will gather in Ballard this weekend, at the Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Convention, to sing it again.

When we first attended this event in 2004, we'd never tried singing in this style but, by the end of the weekend, we were hoarse, happy, and eager for more. It helped that the experienced singers made us feel welcome, showed us the ropes, took us under their wings. Shapenote singing is loud, passionate, and intense. Soon we were soaring.

Four-part harmony. No instruments except the human voice. The songbook comes from a Christian tradition, but religion goes pretty much unmentioned (politics too). No musical experience is necessary. Visitors are invited and encouraged, though not required, to sing along. There's a potluck lunch at noon. It's all family-friendly, but no childcare is provided.

Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Convention // February 16-17 // 9:30am-3:30pm // Sunset Hill Community Club // 3003 NW 66th St // Free