Ab0ut New Mexico Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp History
Sacred Harp, also known as Shape Note, is an a capella American singing tradition. The musical style, with its uniquely shaped note-heads, originated in colonial-era New England as a way of teaching people how to read music and sing. It survived and thrived in the American South, and over the past 50+ years has seen a major revival, spreading throughout the United States and around the world. It is now practiced as a secular, participatory, a cappella, 4-part harmony singing tradition.
Sacred Harp in New Mexico
Elder Gerald Hand may be the first Sacred Harp singer with ties to New Mexico. After being raised a Sacred Harp singer in Alabama, he moved with his family to southern NM post World War II, and the family still sings regularly all across New Mexico. Sacred Harp has existed in organized groups in New Mexico for over 30 years, when Liz Bryant invited Sacred Harp leader Hugh McGraw to Albuquerque to lead a workshop. Singings have continued in Albuquerque ever since. The Santa Fe Sacred Harp group came onto the scene in 2021, when regular singings were thwarted by Covid. Since starting as small, informal porch sessions, it has grown into a healthy public group.
Inclusive Community
Sacred Harp is an inherently inclusive and democratic tradition. We strive to create singing communities that are welcoming for people of all gender identities, cultural or racial background, sexual orientations, financial or social background, political beliefs or affiliations. People of all genders sing all the voice parts and can move between voice parts. For trans singers who are medically transitioning and/or doing voice training, Sacred Harp can be a great place to sing, because perfection is not the focus.
Books
We always have books for you to use if you don't own your own. Feel free to show up and use our loaners.
If you are a regular singer and would like to buy your own, you can buy them directly from us at cost at any session, just ask the local leaders how. We do not profit from book sales.
Religion
Most of the songs in our tunebooks use Christian texts and larger conventions may include brief prayers from different faiths. However, Sacred Harp is broadly a secular tradition and people of all faiths and no faith are welcome. Traditionally, we do not discuss religion or politics during our sessions.
Full Voice
Sacred Harp music is almost always sung in full voice, meaning we sing as loud as we can! This is in celebration of the experience and allows us to express the full range of human emotions. No matter your level of expertise, we recommend that you care for your own voice as needed.