Sacred Harp Singing
Some time ago I become aware of a documentary about Sacred Harp singing called, Awake, My Soul. You can see the trailer below...
Here's what Matt Hinton, the director has to say about his documentary and the tradition of Sacred Harp singing:
"Awake, My Soul is a feature documentary that explores the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, the oldest surviving American music. While often linked only to its history, (e.g. the songs were used in the recent historical films Cold Mountain and Gangs of New York) this haunting music has survived over 200 years tucked away from sight in the rural deep south, where in old wooden country churches, devoted singers break open The Sacred Harp, a shape note hymnal first published in Georgia in 1844.
"These singers have inherited The Sacred Harp and its traditions from those who came before them and preserved these fierce yet beautiful songs, many of which are much older than the hymnal itself. These singers have inherited The Sacred Harp and its traditions from those who came before them and preserved these fierce yet beautiful songs ... songs of both beauty and sorrow, of life and of death, songs that cause feet to stomp and tears to flow, often at the same time.
"They are ancient sounds, which are at times disorienting to the modern ear, and yet they are sung with such passion and force that it becomes obvious that these songs are very much alive. Awake My Soul is a film that captures both the history and the vitality of a music that is utterly unlike any music most viewers are likely to have heard."
Go to the Awake, My Soul website and listen to several full sound files of this remarkable music as you read more about the film, the singers, and the Sacred Harp tradition.
What is it about the sound of this music that moves me so much?
As someone who has had little time for organised religion, and its trappings, why am I so stirred by these songs and the collective sound of massed voices singing together? Whether it is shaped note singing, or the songs of the black American gospel tradition, I am constantly surprised by my reaction to the power of this music. So surprised, in fact, that if I ever have an opportunity to experience the music first hand, I am almost scared of what I might do, once I am totally immersed in the environment from which is springs.
Here is a YouTube clip showing a Sacred Harp group in Bloomington, Indiana singing Idumea...
This is one documentary I'd love to see on Australian television.
Here's what Matt Hinton, the director has to say about his documentary and the tradition of Sacred Harp singing:
"Awake, My Soul is a feature documentary that explores the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, the oldest surviving American music. While often linked only to its history, (e.g. the songs were used in the recent historical films Cold Mountain and Gangs of New York) this haunting music has survived over 200 years tucked away from sight in the rural deep south, where in old wooden country churches, devoted singers break open The Sacred Harp, a shape note hymnal first published in Georgia in 1844.
"These singers have inherited The Sacred Harp and its traditions from those who came before them and preserved these fierce yet beautiful songs, many of which are much older than the hymnal itself. These singers have inherited The Sacred Harp and its traditions from those who came before them and preserved these fierce yet beautiful songs ... songs of both beauty and sorrow, of life and of death, songs that cause feet to stomp and tears to flow, often at the same time.
"They are ancient sounds, which are at times disorienting to the modern ear, and yet they are sung with such passion and force that it becomes obvious that these songs are very much alive. Awake My Soul is a film that captures both the history and the vitality of a music that is utterly unlike any music most viewers are likely to have heard."
Go to the Awake, My Soul website and listen to several full sound files of this remarkable music as you read more about the film, the singers, and the Sacred Harp tradition.
What is it about the sound of this music that moves me so much?
As someone who has had little time for organised religion, and its trappings, why am I so stirred by these songs and the collective sound of massed voices singing together? Whether it is shaped note singing, or the songs of the black American gospel tradition, I am constantly surprised by my reaction to the power of this music. So surprised, in fact, that if I ever have an opportunity to experience the music first hand, I am almost scared of what I might do, once I am totally immersed in the environment from which is springs.
Here is a YouTube clip showing a Sacred Harp group in Bloomington, Indiana singing Idumea...
This is one documentary I'd love to see on Australian television.
Labels: Awake My Soul, Cold Mountain, Gangs of New York, Gospel Music, Matt Hinton, Sacred Harp Singing, Sacred Harp Singing Gospel Music Acappella
posted by Jim Lesses at
12:05 PM
3 Comments:
There's a small but active Sacred Harp singing group in Melbourne... holler if you want me to dig up their contact info.
I live in Adelaide, but go ahead and post the info here if you can find it. Others may be interested in checking out the Melbourne group if they live there.
If other readers have contact information about other Sacred Harp singing groups around Australia, feel free to add contact details here as well.
Jim
Hi Jim,
I'm one of the Melbourne Sacred Harp singers! We sing on the first Sunday afternoon in every month, 4pm-6pm, in a beautiful old hall at Brunswick Uniting Church (Sydney Rd, Brunswick). You'd be welcome to visit if you're in Melbourne on one of those Sundays. Contact me if you need more information.
As far as I know there are no other Sacred Harp groups in Australia.
cheers
Natalie
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