Shape-Note Singing School with Tom George

at The Woodbine Chamber (FKA "Chapel of St. Philip Niri")

All experience levels are welcome at this day-long shape-note singing school!

In this workshop, you will: 

• Learn the major and minor scales from the four-shape tradition
• Learn how to lead in multiple time signatures
• Become familiar with technical practices in the Sacred Harp 
• Use the four-shape system to sightread new and unfamiliar pieces of music
• Gain a rich understanding of the tradition and how the music gives participants a cathartic musical experience 
  

We will spend the first two sessions working on technical aspects of the music, including scales, interval practice, accent, and learning the many styles featured in the Sacred Harp. For the final two sessions, we will have leading practice with notable leader Sarah George and an open-call session, which enables participants to lead any song they wish and to practice all of the musical information discussed throughout the day. 

Schedule

Bio

Tom George is a lifelong Sacred Harp singer from Northeast Alabama, where he grew up learning to sing on Sand Mountain. As a singing school teacher and composer, Tom continues to seek the old paths while integrating a fresh approach to teaching and preserving shaped note music. Additionally, Tom serves as the recording secretary for the Sacred Harp Publishing Company and is a board member of the Alabama School of Gospel Music. When Tom is not singing, he works as a band director at a private school and resides in Wildwood, GA, with his lovely wife and singer, Sarah, and their two-year-old son, James.

All are welcome at the open call singing from 2 to 3:30 pm. It is free and requires no pre-registration!

If you would like a deluxe box lunch from Morris Deli with your registration, please select that option before you "add to cart."

We wish to maximize attendance for this one-time event and do not want cost to be a limiting factor for your attendance. Please contact Tim Morton to learn about other cost reduction options: Timothyjosephmorton@gmail.com.

This event is suitable for singers aged five and up.