Month: February 2011

Lecture on Composers’ Approaches to Writing for the Sacred Harp at University College Cork

On Thursday, March 3 at University College Cork, in Cork Ireland, I will be participating in a lecture panel on The Sacred Harp with Professor Neely Bruce (Wesleyan University) held in conjunction with the first Ireland Sacred Harp Convention and Singing School.

My talk, “Experimentalism and Conservatism: Independence and Influence in the Music of The Sacred Harp” will discuss composers’ approaches to writing for The Sacred Harp. A brief abstract:

The wide ranging music in The Sacred Harp emerges from an approach to composition that is both experimental and conservative. Despite their relative isolation, and purposeful independence from any rules of composition, many Sacred Harp writers were nonetheless influenced by popular musical styles, and willingly constrained by the writing of previous generations.

Brief Article in the Friends of Pitts Library Newsletter

The most recent issue of Emory’s Pitts Theology Library’s Friends of Pitts Library Newsletter (PDF, 259kb) contains a brief article I wrote situating Emory’s annual Sacred Harp singing in the context of the history of shape note singing and singing conventions.

Emory Sacred Harp Singing

Emory University will host its 7th annual Sacred Harp singing this Saturday, February 12 from 10 AM to 3 PM. The singing will be held at Cannon Chapel. There will be a covered dish dinner on the grounds at noon. Continue reading “Emory Sacred Harp Singing”