Here we have a 1977 recording of a Shape Note ensemble from the NWFL Festival. Shape note singing is a musical practice based in New England and the rural South, but the tradition originated in 11th century Western Europe where a system that used syllables to teach musical scales was developed. Shape-note singing became popular in the South in the late 19th century. It was a form of education and socializing, and was practiced in churches and singing schools. The repertoire often came from a popular shape-note songbook called The Sacred Harp, written in 1844, and as such, shape-note singing may also be referred to as Sacred Harp singing. Today, shape-note singing is still practiced in Appalachia and other parts of the world.
Do you have any information about the singers or ensemble? Let us know by dropping us an email at archive@nwfolklife.org