Shape-Note (or shaped-note) music is an American style of singing that emerged from the American Tunebook traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries. In this style, noteheads are replaced with various shapes, indicating scale degrees, and acting as a “visual solfege.” As most early American hymnals did not contain written music, tunebooks were published as a way to expand a congregation’s repertoire of hymn tunes, as well as teach them to read and sightread music. The various shape-note systems were intended to be an aid for the sightreading and learning process. Out of the various notational systems that were developed during the era of the American Tunebook, only two are still in widespread use today. The four-shape system, as found in the earliest to most recent editions of The Sacred Harp; and Jesse Aikin’s seven-shape system, most commonly found in The Christian Harmony (2010) and many gospel songbooks published in the early-to-mid 20th century.
The Moravian Music Foundation holds one of the largest collections of American songbooks in the Irving Lowens Collection in Winston-Salem. Read more about the Collection >
If anyone is interested, the 2025 NC State Shape Note Convention is happening Saturday, March 8.
It would be a great opportunity if anyone is interested in hearing how this music sounds in a larger group with folks who have been singing it for years, instead of everyone learning. Near the end of the day there is also an opportunity to announce upcoming singings – I’m fairly certain Corinne Serfass will be in attendance, and she can announce the October sing at Archie K, but if not, it might be something to consider. Kyle Johnston would also be happy to have any of you stand with him in the hollow square to hear the power of this music.
This is an event Kyle organized and chaired for several years pre- and post-covid.
Here are the details:
NC Shape Note Convention
Saturday, March 8
Registration begins 9:30a
Singing from 10a – 3:30p
Potluck Dinner on the grounds around noon
No cost for attendance or registration
Singing from The Sacred Harp (’91) and The Shenandoah Harmony
Books available for loan or sale
Facebook Event
NC Shape Note Website
The singing is divided into sessions about 45min long, so if you can only come for a limited time there are distinct stopping points that make entries and exits very easy. Some people may come and stay for just the morning or afternoon sessions, but many people stay the entire day. There is no “spectator seating” and you’ll sit with your voice part. No one is required to lead or sing, but requests can be made or you can be paired with a buddy to lead. I am excited to go because I was told recently that one of the recent Durham regular sings had around 40 people – which means that the community in NC is growing, and that there will probably be a good turnout for the All-Day.
VIDEO Introduction to Shape Note Singing
This is the video I usually show people to introduce them to the tradition. It provides a good overview of the tradition, even though it doesn’t specifically talk about “All-Days”
This video was made by NC DNCR at the NC All-Day several years ago and features footage from that event.
This is a video of the first time I ever led a tune at the NC All-Day back in 2011
This is NOT from NC, but is an example of an All-Day in Cork, Ireland
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