Golden Gate All-Day Sacred Harp Singing

Description

Come experience a strange and beautiful centuries-old singing tradition!

Sacred Harp is an 'a capella' tradition of group part singing which features eerie harmonies and poetic religious lyrics (though not all singers are religious, especially on the West Coast - so no Christianity is required!). The songs focus on topics like the inevitability of death, love and salvation, and the approaching apocalypse. Singers split into four groups based on their vocal range, and all four groups sing at the top of their lungs, guided from the center by a rotating 'leader'.

Though Sacred Harp is hard to describe, Rolling Stone called it a "robust, harmonically intricate blend of country joy and unearthly drone". Join us! No singing or music experience is necessary - Sacred Harp is a great way to learn to read music, because the hymn book uses "shape notes" instead of the traditional circles.

Note: this is not a concert! Sacred Harp is a group experience. If you'd just like to listen, that's ok - but you'll be encouraged to borrow a hymn book (there will be some available) so you can sit with the singers and follow along.

Though Sacred Harp singings occur regularly in the Bay Area (www.fasola.org for more information) the upcoming events, both sponsored by Bay Area Sacred Harp, are special:

On Saturday, April 21st, from 1-4pm, there will be a traditional "Singing School" at which beginners (or even experienced singers) are guided through the basics of Sacred Harp singing. It will be held at All Saints’ Chapel, 2451 Ridge Rd, in Berkeley, for a $5-10 donation (no-one turned away for lack of funds).

Sunday, April 22nd, is the 8th Annual Golden Gate All-Day Sacred Harp Singing, from 9-3pm, at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St @Southern Heights. The event, a rare chance to hear the full glory of Sacred Harp as sung by a large number of people, is free; it includes a noon potluck to which attendees are encouraged but not required to contribute.

Call Julian Damashek at 415-637-7347 for more information.

More Info

Link

http://www.fasola.org

Call

415-637-7347