The American tradition of shape note singing was developed in the early nineteenth century and grew out of a movement to encourage congregational and social singing. The notes, which are printed on a musical staff in squares, diamonds, triangles, and ovals, are meant to help even beginner singers with no musical background to quickly and easily learn how to read music and sing. While shape note singing is over two centuries old, there are several specific shape note traditions that are still active and, indeed, growing—including Sacred Harp singing, which enjoys a thriving presence in Kalamazoo. Sacred Harp singings take place in a hollow square, with the singers all facing in, and are often raucous, spirited, and joyful events!
In the first hour of this workshop, Samuel Sommers will offer a general introduction to shape note singing and participants will learn about the shapes, the syllables that correspond with them, and the usual method of singing a song using both the notes and the lyrics. In the second half of the workshop, led by Will Fitzgerald, participants will practice their new skills and sing a variety of festive holiday tunes from the shape note tradition together, including STAR IN THE EAST, which will be sung at the EMM holiday concert “An Early American Holiday.”
Like all of our recent events, this workshop is pay-what-you-will. We do have a few suggested registration levels--choose from the below or choose the amount you'd like to pay!
Student: $20
General Admission: $35
Supporters' Circle: $50-100
Workshop Sponsor: $100+
Group Registration: If you are associated with a choir, school program, or other group that would be interested in registering with a group rate, please contact Becky Straple-Sovers at
b2ZmaWNlIHwgZWFybHltdXNpY21pY2hpZ2FuICEgb3Jn.
Advance registration is open until November 8, 2025.
Registration is open until the workshop begins, and you can register on-site! Please note that attendees who register online on or after November 9, 2025 will be asked to print the workshop materials and bring them to the workshop. (If you are a late registrant and this will not be possible for you, please contact us as soon as possible.)
You may also like the following events from Early Music Michigan:
Also check out other
Workshops in Kalamazoo,
Music events in Kalamazoo,
Entertainment events in Kalamazoo.
