WISCONSIN SACRED HARP

Shape note singing — Wisconsin

Shape Note Singing is a unique form of musical expression that originated in colonial North America. Here are just a few things that make this musical tradition unique:

• We are not a choir. We do not have auditions. We sing for ourselves and for each other.
• All songs are sung a cappella (with no instruments.)
• Singers sit facing each other across a “hollow square” and take turns leading songs.
• The music is printed with notes of different shapes, each shape corresponds to a syllable: fa, sol, la, or mi.
• Participants are free to (and do) sing loudly!
• No musical experience or religious affiliation is required to sing with us.
• Attend a singing only if you are feeling well. Check the schedule to see if there are added COVID precautions at that event.