Sacred Harp Singing
Sacred Harp is a singing tradition that began in early American communities. At the Helen Hills Hills Chapel in Northampton, singers form a hollow square and face each other so every vocal part adds to the group’s sound. The music uses shape-note notation, which means each note has a unique shape to show its musical syllable. This system helps people learn music by sight and makes it easier for everyone to join in, even without formal music training. Going to a Sacred Harp singing lets you experience early American hymns, group singing, and a special way of reading music that was made to help people in rural areas learn to sing. Anyone can join in, listen, or sing as much as they like.
