Sacred Harp & Shape Note Singing

Sponsored by the Tree of Life Cultural Foundation 501(c)3

This is a FREE event! (Donations Appreciated)
Donations support the TOLCF Scholarship Fund.
All Ages Welcome 

SUMMER 2026 
Date: TBA
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Forest City, NC

Shape note singing is a unique musical tradition that uses a special notation system to aid singers in learning and performing music. This method became popular in the 19th century, particularly in American singing schools.

What Are Shape Notes?
Shape notes are designed to simplify music reading. Each note is represented by a distinct shape, corresponding to a specific syllable in the solfège system:
Triangle for Fa
Oval for Sol
Rectangle for La
Diamond for Mi
This system helps singers quickly identify pitches without needing complex key signatures.

Shape note singing originated in New England and spread throughout the United States. The most notable shape note hymnal is The Sacred Harp, first published in 1844. This tradition emphasizes community participation, often involving all-day singing events where participants gather in a "hollow square" formation.

Shape-note singing gained popularity in the 19th century due to its accessibility for singers with little or no literacy skills, as it simplified music reading with geometric shapes representing notes. Additionally, the tradition was supported by community gatherings and singing schools, which helped preserve and promote this uniquely American musical form.